Le divorce 2003

Isabel Walker journeys to Paris in search of refuge with her sister, Roxy, a troubled poet facing a crisis. Abandoned by her husband, Charles-Henri de Persand, Roxy is left alone and pregnant, grappling with the heartache of his infidelity. Compounding her pain is the revelation of Charles-Henri’s mistress, the mysterious Magda Tellman, as he prepares to wed her after finalizing his divorce from Roxy. undeterred, Roxy is propelled by an unwavering resolve to safeguard her family’s dignity.

As Isabel immerses herself in Roxy’s turbulent life, she inadvertently becomes ensnared in a complex web of relationships filled with conflicting allegiances. Central to this turmoil is a controversial painting of Saint Ursula, attributed to Georges de La Tour, fiercely contended between Roxy and Charles-Henri. The Louvre dismisses the artwork as a mere forgery, yet the J. Paul Getty Museum shows significant interest, igniting a fierce debate over its authenticity.

Amidst this chaos, local author Olivia Pace presents Isabel with a chance to restart her life. While adjusting to her new environment, she encounters Yves, Olivia’s protégé, sparking a budding romance. However, her interest quickly shifts to Edgar Cosset, a charming, affluent man who captivates both her and his wife, Suzanne. Despite his marital status, Edgar embarks on an affair with Isabel, lavishing her with extravagant gifts, including a striking red Hermès Kelly bag that she wears with pride.

As Roxy’s life continues to unravel, Charles-Henri’s mistress, Magda, spirals into a state of obsession, convinced that Roxy is to blame for her husband’s abandonment. Her erratic behavior culminates in alarming confrontations with both Isabel and Roxy, who, despite feeling threatened, are resolved to move forward.

Faced with the emotional toll of her husband’s cruel treatment, Roxy’s mental health begins to deteriorate. During a late pregnancy complication, she attempts suicide, gaining support from her sister and their lawyer, Bertram. As Isabel strives to help Roxy regain her footing, she is confronted with the more sinister elements of human nature and the heart-wrenching ramifications of fractured relationships.

As Roxy and Isabel’s extended family converge from across the ocean, an intricate web of tension begins to form around them. The looming specter of divorce proceedings and the contentious ownership of the La Tour painting threatens to disrupt the already tense relations between their families. Matters escalate when Amélie, Edgar’s wife, learns of his infidelity through her cousin, Suzanne. A fraught brunch further inflates the hostility between Roxy and Amélie, who both secretly confide in Isabel’s mother about the affair. The abrupt revelation of Edgar’s betrayal brings swift consequences for Isabel.

Simultaneously, the emotional strain on Tellman reaches a terrifying peak, culminating in a shocking act of violence as he brutally murders both Magda and Charles-Henri during an outing. The shocking discovery of their bodies by Roxy and Bertram sends ripples of shock through the community, coinciding with Roxy’s premature labor.

In the midst of this turmoil, Isabel finds herself targeted by Tellman’s deranged thirst for vengeance as he confronts her family at the Eiffel Tower, brandishing a firearm and demanding to explain his despicable deeds to Roxy. After a nail-biting standoff, Isabel manages to get through to Tellman, convincing him to surrender his weapon, which she then disposes of in the Seine.

In the wake of these traumatic events, Edgar chooses to end his brief affair with Isabel over lunch, gifting her a coveted Hermes scarf as a parting token. As Roxy grapples with the trials of new motherhood, she finds renewed love with Bertram, leading the couple to exchange vows.

The Walker family’s fortunes transform when the La Tour painting is sold at auction to The Getty for an astounding 4.5 million Euros. With the ownership established after Charles-Henri’s unfortunate passing, the Walker family sets up the “Fondation Sainte Ursule” (The Saint Ursula Foundation), intertwining their philanthropic ambitions firmly with the world of art.