By Design (2025) Movie Script
1
[Shopping chatter]
My goodness.
That chair is gorgeous.
Look at its body.
Its material.
Its design.
Must be expensive.
What a stunner.
You wouldn't know
to look at her.
But Camille is a secure
and satisfied person.
She keeps a quote from a book.
"Resentment is like drinking
poison and waiting
for the other person to die".
Camille agrees with that.
Camille enjoys going to lunch
with Lisa and Irene.
Each week she hopes that
lunch will be a salon
of ideas ranging in topics,
vast and tremendous.
But lunch is devoid of ideas
and filled with crisis.
Even though Camille
can't relate to crisis,
she listens with sympathy.
She would rather wipe
their tears than be home.
Home is also devoid
of ideas.
And food.
Camille always says yes
to lunch
and to shopping after
lunch.
I like this one.
It's very nice.
But you don't need it.
No. Do you need a stool?
I don't think so.
I guess
you're done buying furniture.
I'm at the end of my
space.
I need a chair.
For what?
Guests?
Oh, a hopeful chair.
A chair with promise.
Let's really look then,
instead of all this, what if.
Ooh, I'm excited.
Me too. We never buy.
No. Never.
Hmm.
That's interesting.
Sort of unfinished.
I think it's above my head.
Hmm. Good point. Good point.
This is a set of four.
That is a set of four.
It's a set of four.
It's quite a lovely
primary yellow.
Oh, yeah.
But does that go with the
scheme of your apartment?
I can't remember. What
do you think of that?
I don't like it.
No? Too primitive?
You'd think it would be.
Comfortable.
Well, I mean, it's
Camille's chair to be had.
Do you want me to spin
you?
I could go for a spin.
Squishy.
Is it comfortable?
I don't think so.
Oh, you like it?
I like, I sort of like it.
Do you like it?
I don't know.
No. I don't really love
it. No.
Do you like this one?
It's pink.
Oh, it's pink
Isn't your apartment pink?
Some is pink.
Some is pink.
It's not a full concept.
It's different.
Just a brush of paint.
Is it fancy?
Who made?
Okay. Are you
ready?
You look pretty, Anna.
And there we go.
Camille feels
nothing.
None of the chairs in
the showroom call to her
until she sees
the stunner.
Here's a woman who's never
been particularly jealous
of any other woman,
realizing that
she deeply envies this chair.
Its beauty.
Its usefulness.
Its deserving of praise.
It's so easy to compliment
a gorgeous chair.
Who needs or appreciates
Camille
as much as they do a chair?
Anyone?
She's never been able
to just sit there silently
and still be seen.
Loved.
That's a life that she
wants
instead of the life
of always having to perform.
Camille.
Excuse me.
Which one of you works here?
I do.
Well there's no
price tag on the chair.
I know.
Is it for sale?
Of course.
How much does it cost?
I'm a serious buyer.
We don't do installments.
We are wondering, what
kind of chair is it?
I don't understand
the question.
Where did it come from?
A vendor.
What is a vendor?
A dealer, an art collector.
Someone who sells us
furniture.
What is their name?
Our vendors don't sell
directly to customers.
I'm gonna buy it.
I just have a few questions.
What are your questions?
I'm asking them.
The chair came in yesterday.
It was priced last night.
A very fair price, and now put
in the showroom this morning.
So here it is. And clearly
it's made out of wood.
It's very nice wood.
But do you have the space
for it? It isn't very small.
Do you own anything wood?
You can't have mismatched
with them.
It is beautiful.
I'm gonna buy it.
This is a very expensive store
Camille.
We never buy.
We could
always go to sidewalk sales.
Absolutely.
My kitchen mat is from a
sidewalk sale.
But that's a kitchen mat.
How much do you think
it costs? But really.
Let me really look at it.
God. Just look at it.
Beautiful.
Maybe.
I have the space for it.
Of course
you can afford a new chair.
This chair would match
what I'm already
doing with the house.
It would look perfect in the
room.
What are you two saying?
It's a great expense.
What if Lisa bought it?
She can afford to, and you
could come and visit it.
That sounds funny, but
you know what I mean?
The chair would stay in our
lives is what she means.
Her friends also
admire the chair.
In fact, they're fawning.
An object of desire.
How simple.
How essential.
Camille just
wants it
very much.
I'll just look into
my finances
and go through my checkbook
tonight.
I'm sure I'll have enough.
Oh, Camille
I envy your restraint.
Of course
it'll be here tomorrow.
What time do you open?
I'll be here at 11:00 AM
tomorrow.
We don't hold.
I never see anyone in here.
The chair will be yours
Camille.
It's so hard to say
goodbye.
Camille's monthly
expenses
leave little room for trifles.
How will I do it?
I really don't know.
Lunch with Lisa
and Irene
costs Camille $75 a week.
Her only savings.
For a few months
Camille will have to say no
to lunch.
Lisa and Irene saw the
chair. They'll understand.
Hello?
Hi, Camille. It's Lisa.
I need to talk.
Are you mad at me?
I'm mad at myself.
Oh, don't be.
I'm feeling very negatively
toward Irene.
I'm feeling
very jealous.
Resentment is like
drinking poison
and waiting for the other
person to die.
That's true.
I mean it, Lisa.
My stomach hurts.
This is really affecting me.
But Irene's so jealous
of all your money
and all your clothes.
Well, that's nice to hear.
Still.
I'm worried about myself.
These are dark emotions.
What?
Don't waste your time
In that sense
it's aging me.
Are you smoking?
Yes.
You're going to lose
so much weight.
I can't really afford
the habit.
That's good. Did you
know Irene's considering
moving back to France?
She didn't really live
in France.
But she spent time there.
She was in love, and
we were happy for her
Three months in France.
We were happy for her
not moving to France.
We're not happy about that.
You wanna move to France
Lisa?
Yes.
But you just bought
that big house.
This is exactly why I called.
For your unique perspective.
Camille's friends
know that she takes
a bird's eye view.
She sees life from a great
height, peering down.
Why be jealous of Irene
when she's just another woman,
only slightly different
than you?
To an alien, you and Irene are
essentially the same person.
To a martian,
you're interchangeable.
To a martian
who doesn't understand
the Earthling experience,
we are all already doing it.
There is no more
human human than
any other human.
So what more is there to want
there?
If I were to feel envy,
I would envy
a perfectly manicured poodle
or a perfectly manicured park
or a chair
that had everyone's eye.
And the eye was fascinated
by even the simplest way
the chair can be.
This is not
the perspective
Lisa was hoping for.
It's 11.
Camille's loss is
unutterable.
Who brought it?
I can't tell you that.
Absolute heartbreak.
Did they mention me?
Did they mention you?
I wanna be friends with women.
It's important, but
there's so much jealousy.
I wish we were each
special, but we're not.
I don't have anything anyone
could envy.
I could have had
this chair.
I'm sorry.
What I'm asking
is
did one
of my friends
buy it?
You think one of your friends
bought this chair
behind your back?
Yes.
It was a gift.
No.
They're themselves then, huh?
Okay.
Is this the name of
one of your friends?
No.
Good.
Excuse me.
Hi. Yes. Thank you for calling.
Yes.
Would you mind holding?
Is there anything else
I can help you with?
Yes.
What is it?
I would
like to sit in the chair.
It's becoming too much. You
need to move on.
I will.
Please do not sit in the
chair. It's been sold.
May I just touch the arm?
You're
not planning to damage it.
Are you?
Something that like,
if you can't have it, no
one can. That kind of thing.
You're not listening to me.
I'm not one of those
jealous women.
I want everyone to have
everything they want.
Calm down, please.
I just.
I'll touch it
and then I'll go.
Just hurry.
Oh, to be someone's
favorite thing.
I can't have you.
Camille closes
her eyes.
I wish I could just
that I could just be here.
I wish.
I wish.
I wish, I wish, wish I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
I wish.
I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
Camille's wish
come true.
Her body is now the chair,
and the chair
holds her soul within it.
Goodbye, Camille.
Camille thinks.
Do you need help out?
I'll call Irene.
I'm sorry it took me so
long. I had to finish my food.
Irene reveals
concern at her friend's state,
but is already
chatting about herself
and everything she
needs to get done today.
Busy, busy, busy.
Marta has come back
to pick up her chair.
A perfect purchase.
Olivier doesn't know
how to make money.
Not the kind of money
that lasts.
He's down to nothing.
But he likes that.
He prefers to be spare.
Without.
Olivier was sharing rent
with Marta, but she's left him
and taken all of their things.
And that's fine.
He'll teach himself to buy
when it matters
what's for sale.
You're wearing a suit.
You said.
It's perfect.
You're beautiful.
Anyone would think so.
Do you need
to wear your glasses?
Only to play.
Then take them off.
So after you've done your
set, you'll take requests.
Request until morning.
Oh.
Oh, geez. I better not drink.
You'll drink whatever's
offered.
But it... I'll fall asleep.
It's already midnight.
But I'm not tired.
It's only midnight.
You're doing me a huge
one. You really are.
Oh, well. This covers
my rent for months.
This covers Marta.
This covers a haircut.
I haven't had a haircut.
Terrific.
We're helping each other.
What are you playing tonight?
A little light jazz.
What are you playing tonight?
Whatever they want.
Whatever they want.
What's it like up there?
It's like heaven and lonely.
Can heaven be lonely?
It's certainly not crowded.
Do you like women?
Fucking them.
Smelling them.
Who doesn't like women?
Most men. Most women.
Have you ever worked in
retail?
High end.
You know where the
customers want everything
expensive and unavailable.
And whenever some fancy cunt
comes in
and asks where this coat
was designed, you have
to tell them London or Europe.
Then you pamper them.
You show them gloves
and you say
no one would ever dare.
I'm just a piano player.
Perfect.
You're really something
to look at.
I'm, I'm just the background.
No one should be looking
at me when I'm playing.
They should be looking
at each other
closer.
And where will you be looking?
Oh, I look down at the keys.
Not when we met.
Your eyes were closed.
That was a strange night.
You played too long.
I wanted to smash the lid
of your baby grand
down on your fingers.
I wanted to shatter
your hands.
I would've paid a thousand
dollars for you to stop.
Maybe more.
What a review.
I don't like the piano.
Don't you play?
I'm just the entertainment.
It's time.
Look at you.
You're nervous.
This is a terrific party.
A great room.
And the women.
Oh, yeah.
Oh yes.
So.
You play your set.
Yes. Play my set.
Take requests.
Right?
You're not the background
tonight.
You're the fantasy.
It's noon. Olivier. I knocked.
I didn't mean to surprise you.
I'm not surprised.
I bought you a chair.
It's just been delivered.
That's thoughtful.
Thank you, Marta.
You can't tell because of all
the wrapping, but
it's gorgeous.
The chair is?
Yeah.
Who would describe a chair
as gorgeous?
Me. I would.
It's odd
only having one chair.
I guess I'm only one man.
You'll be fine.
I'll love again?
It really is such a beautiful
chair and an extravagance.
There were women in
the store and they were
losing their minds over it.
They were in absolute mania.
Do you want it, Marta?
Yeah, but I feel bad for
taking everything else.
Then I'll keep it.
Should I leave my key?
Keep them.
Finally.
There she is.
Camille.
It's hard to admit even to
himself, but Marta was right.
The chair is gorgeous.
How many people sat
in your lap last night?
As many as on mine?
We're just two seats
aren't we?
Camille can feel
the entire
weight of him crushing her.
She left me.
This is the best
part.
With nothing but you.
His body finds
comfort.
Then deep sleep leap.
She is valuable.
That's new.
And then
the nightmare comes.
Do you take?
Do you take?
Do you take the requests?
Do you take?
Do you take requests?
Please boy?
Do you take requests?
Do you take requests?
Do you take requests?
Can I ask for?
Do you take?
Please, boy.
Hey, boy.
Do you take requests?
Hey, boy.
You are all right.
Perfectly all right.
We like to be handled gently.
You need to be treated
with care.
I had a terrible dream
about the other night.
Can I tell you?
I met up with Gary.
You got a proposition for me.
Basically.
It's all she wants
to hear
I was treated like an object.
Life is good
for Camille's body.
It's taken time off of
work and socializing.
It feels no stress.
Camille always wanted to be
hard to reach.
Now she's totally unavailable.
Knock knock.
Camille?
It's your mother.
You've left the door
unlocked, so I'm just gonna
let myself in.
I, I don't know where to put
all this.
I called
but you didn't pick up.
I brought that soup
that you love.
So you can have soup for
lunch, soup for dinner.
You can go soup mad.
Don't worry.
I came alone.
Your stepfather is still
at the beach house.
He can't get enough
of that view.
I like postcards.
Postcards are cheaper.
Of course, a painting
lasts longer.
I know, I know.
Well, I, I bashed my face
on the medicine cabinet.
It's the mother and
father of all black eyes.
David keeps joking that
everyone will assume
that he battered me,
such as his reputation.
Him hit me. That's funny.
I'm the abuser.
I've done everything
to that man
but grow a forked tongue.
Camille.
Everyone makes such fun of me.
What else?
Oh, you're back to these.
This reminds me of my last
year at the travel agency.
They tried to kill me
with those hours.
And I sank into such despair.
Alcohol and ibuprofen
and nicotine,
and
I had to be hypnotized.
You don't want that.
Throw them away?
Okay, then.
Yes. Good, good, good.
Hmm.
What else? What else?
Are those the shoes
that I got for you?
You've never even worn them.
No. The the stuffing is still
in the toe.
Well, it, let's just
take this stepping out
and try them on, shall we?
It fits.
Camille, trying
is all I ever ask of you.
That you try for me.
Can I have a big, big hug?
You only have one mother
in this life.
Have you ever thought
about that?
And I only have one daughter.
You.
Just you.
Only you.
You.
Did you just roll your eyes
at me?
Don't make fun.
Thank you for listening.
You never listen.
But you've become a really
good listener
as you've gotten older.
Camille's body has
really moved Camille's mother.
What else?
A chair makes
a very good daughter
some days.
We could organize your closet
and maybe we would find
some other shoes
that you could get rid of.
That would be fun.
Oh. Oh my God.
By heavens.
Hello?
Olivier, it's Gio.
You never got back to me.
No?
About dinner tonight.
What time?
Seven.
Sure. Seven is good.
See you at seven.
Olivier didn't ask
if he could bring
his own chair.
What kind of question is that
anyway?
And whose business is it
really?
What chair he wants to sit in.
He's a guest on his own terms.
This is the most beautiful
dinnerware I've ever seen.
Hand painted.
Hand painted.
He bought the full set.
I was with him.
What comes in a full set?
I know, it's six dinner
plates, six salad plates.
Six soup bowls.
Six dessert plates.
Six leeway glasses, six mugs.
Six stem wine glasses,
12 forks, big and small.
Six knives and 12 spoons.
Big and small.
What a waste.
After tonight
you won't use any of it.
I'll use the forks.
What about those tiny cups
with the saucers under them?
No, no, no.
The cup and the saucer
are an exception.
I guess he didn't get
the full set.
Olivier.
Join in.
I have.
I have one plate, one fork,
and one knife.
Because Marta took everything
else?
Things are just...
things.
She didn't take the
keyboard.
She's not a fiend.
I would say so.
Are you still
playing keyboard?
She means for money.
Course for money.
What's he going to play
for?
Glass beads.
You would be the perfect piano
player at a department store.
Remember those? My mother
worked in a shoe section.
Did she like it?
I think it saved her life.
Selling shoes.
You have to have a positive
attitude to sell shoes.
You have to feel good.
You have to be good.
A sale isn't a good sale
unless it's a good buy
for the customer.
Olivier.
You should be selling shoes
at a department store.
Maybe.
Don't tell him that.
Tell him he should be playing
piano at Carnegie Hall.
God, that's stupid too.
He shouldn't
have come.
He tried to keep friends.
Why?
Olivier.
Friends don't really
suit him.
Did you ever talk
to that guy again?
Oh, what guy?
Olivier knows who I mean.
Oh, don't say. Is it
someone that we all know?
The one who Marta...
No.
Not that one.
I know which one.
Oh, don't say.
Let us guess.
Gary.
Who's Gary?
The Hooker.
I remember the hooker.
I never heard of this.
They met
at an anniversary party
where
Olivier was hired to play
all night from dusk to dawn.
You said.
That sounds romantic.
Piano till sunrise.
But why was there a hooker?
He came on to Olivier.
No, that's not the story.
He offered you a job,
didn't he?
That's a proposition.
A job as a hooker?
I don't understand.
You were playing piano.
I see the connection.
I think.
Did you ever talk to him
again?
Don't pressure him to
answer
It's conversation.
Conversation is pressure.
Jerry, Yari, Giri...
Sounds like a made up name.
It is. I'm guessing.
Olivier, tell us.
Gary is a guy I know.
Who cares?
Oh, sure. Say who cares?
That's just perfect. Who
cares about anything?
Who even cares about war?
That's a good point.
That's such an easy out.
Who cares?
You can answer any question
that way.
What time is it?
Who cares?
I have a question.
What comes
in a full dining room set?
I know.
A table and six chairs.
Four without armrests, and
then two with armrest
for the heads of the table.
Maybe there's an extender.
And then eight chairs.
And how many chairs come with
this dining room set?
Who cares?
It's a good point.
Why did
you bring your own chair?
She's allowed to ask.
Marta.
Marta bought him the chair.
So you get it.
You have to cut her free.
Well, she left him,
from what I can see.
The chair looks expensive.
I can't really see.
Marta does have incredible
taste.
What was that joke we
used to say about her?
For such a big bitch
she's got such a small nose.
I just believe
you shouldn't be attached
to something Marta gave you.
She's leaving you
with nothing.
Plus you're bringing it places
with you now. It's awkward.
It's perverse.
Can we see the chair?
From here it looks gorgeous.
Olivier,
stand up for a second.
Yes, stand up.
My God, he's refusing
to get up.
Oh, that's fine.
I'll get up.
Ah. Oh, it's beautiful.
It's lovely. I love it.
But I would really be able
to see it better
if the chair were empty.
I wanna sit in it.
Olivier, get up.
You should really clean that.
You should go dab that
or it'll, it'll stain.
Yes. Go.
Olivier, what is wrong
with you?
Grab his hands.
Just get up.
No.
It will be fine.
Just get up.
No, no.
No, no, no.
They're fighting
over her.
Men, women.
They're all fighting to get
closer to Camille.
It's heaven.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no.
Stop.
A chair is a chair.
Olivier once thought so.
Now he feels differently.
He feels.
He wants to be in there
with her.
It hurts to be away.
But he also sees
how popular she is.
And for a moment, he
allows himself the luxury
of feeling like a man
who owns a woman
who everyone he knows
wants to fuck.
No, you stop.
This is nice.
I'm happy.
I feel good.
Relaxed.
Wine
with Lisa and Irene.
Usually this happens at Lisa's
because she has
the biggest house.
But tonight, Camille's
friends felt like she needed
them to come to her.
Camille.
They're happy to.
Try the wine.
It's crisp.
I forgot. You like sweet.
Don't tell us
you're not drinking.
No.
She'll have a taste. One sip.
It's not the same without you.
It's not a cocktail,
if you're worried about
the sugar.
Is this because of Martin?
Who's Martin?
Isn't that his name?
Nobody told me about Martin.
The painter
who lives downstairs.
The painter who lives
downstairs. Is that a riddle?
You've seen him.
He's handsome.
Camille, you never told me.
Oh, was it a secret?
I feel sad. You didn't
feel you could trust me.
I'm disappointed.
I let the secret slip.
Does Martin not drink?
No.
Well, that's not fair.
I mean, he can't ask Camille
to take on his lifestyle.
Maybe she wants to.
You're
upset with me for telling.
She's mad at me for knowing
too.
Has Olivier
ever appreciated
the furniture in his home?
No.
Everything has always belonged
to a woman he believed
he loved, or a man he tried
to befriend, foolishly.
They first bring over
a bookshelf
and then a nightstand,
a coat rack.
And eventually they go.
Sometimes with the things
they brought
and sometimes without.
Whatever is still here,
has been left behind.
He is another thing
left behind.
But he leaves nothing behind
because he's going nowhere.
Has he ever made time to
enjoy these possessions?
Never.
Until Camille.
What do the things
we love give back to us?
Pleasure?
We want them.
We buy them.
We use them.
That's pleasure.
Olivier
could use some of that.
Please.
Camille begs.
Use me.
Talk to us, Camille.
Let's talk.
When you're sad.
We're sad.
When you cry, it makes us cry.
Please, don't cry.
Camille, you're alive.
How many people across
time can actually say that?
You have so much.
You have us.
We love you.
We love you.
So you couldn't buy the chair.
I think it's a good time
to move on.
I know exactly how you feel.
Exactly.
I have been there
a hundred times.
I can easily find you
a better chair.
I can absolutely do that.
Don't even think about it.
Wipe it from your mind.
There is only one version
of you
and it's the version
without the chair.
Isn't that helpful
to remember?
I'm beginning to think
that you wanna be sad.
Do you wanna be
depressive?
Do you, Camille?
Do you?
How can you just lie there?
You're being so selfish.
It's just a chair.
Stupid chair.
He's been following
Camille for months.
He's been watching her
apartment for weeks.
He could wait no longer.
Tonight he had to get closer.
He had to come inside.
He's going to attack her.
Don't scream, Camille.
What am I going to do?
Whatever I want.
If I want to kill you, I
will. I'll just kill you.
If I want to have sex
with you, I'll do that.
If I want to take you
somewhere,
then we'll go, together.
I wanna do that most.
I'll tie you up first.
We're gonna go out the window.
He will kiss her
under the moon first
on the balcony.
He will touch her
where he likes.
If she fights,
he will fight back.
And if she refuses,
he will force.
Is she willing?
Is she obedient?
She doesn't scream
or beg to be spared.
What a disappointment for him.
What an absolute failure.
I'm the one that hurts,
Camille.
I've had real love, Jennifer.
Two years I spent
trying to win her.
I listened to what she
liked. I learned her.
She didn't, she didn't
want gifts or phone calls.
She had goals.
She loved to lift very,
very heavy weights.
Heavier all the time.
She, she would only talk
about firmness.
Only read books
about strength.
She became dull.
But I stayed loving her.
Did I want her to curl
her hair? Eyelashes?
She would only say yes to
dinner.
Dinner had to be
plain, lean.
Dinner for strength.
There was no bliss
for Jennifer.
But that's what I wanted
to give her.
I offered my open arms.
She finally accepted.
We made it to the bedroom.
It was dark.
And Jennifer undressed.
She was so strong.
The shape of her, her outline.
Hard.
Quickly undressed.
We were naked together.
She, she seemed to be mine.
She reached out
to touch my chest
or touch.
My body
became as plain as
her dinner. Just a pink.
Just a pink bobby flesh.
She started to poke me.
Poking and poking and poking.
Just poking.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You're so kind. You're
even good to me.
I don't deserve your kindness.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
He wants to hold her
closer, but he's too weak now.
He loses his grip.
You know what I mean?
I hadn't eaten more.
Lisa forgot her
lipstick upstairs.
Camille?
They know danger.
They're looking at him.
Camille killed him.
He tried to rape her.
He would've murdered her.
But she's okay?
She's a hero.
Camille's a hero?
Olivier has done
a crazy thing.
He's gotten rid of
everything but Camille.
Olivier can't get enough.
He yearns to know more.
Who designed it?
What secrets can they share?
Aldo Fabbri Design. Hello?
Hello.
I own one
of Aldo Fabbri's chairs.
Wonderful. Thank you.
I want to meet Aldo.
You're a collector?
Yes.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Thank you.
I'll come to the studio.
Appointments are not possible,
but do you mind
describing the chair?
It's...
Where did you get it?
I...
Are you hoping to buy another?
No, there isn't another.
Oh, I understand.
You have one of the Soltanto
chairs. The Onlys.
Yes.
We've spoken to
the other Soltanto collectors.
They've all said yes
to being in
Mr. Fabbri's profile
by Design Magazine.
We'll come to your home for an
interview
and some photographs.
A profile? Yeah. I'm not sure.
Well, Mr. Fabbri will be
so grateful. It's wonderful.
Thank you.
Alright.
Yes.
The photographer,
his art director,
his studio intern,
the journalist
and Aldo Fabbri.
Camille is
their model.
She is the object
that holds the gaze.
It's all so new,
being beheld.
Something is wrong.
What? What is it?
I haven't discovered it yet.
I will.
It's your chair?
A Soltanto?
I know, I designed it,
but I don't recognize it
at all.
Did you have it refinished?
Sanded?
Stained?
No.
A fake?
A cheap copy?
Does this look cheap to you?
Does this look like anything
less than the absolute best?
No copy.
Maybe a modification,
altered from the original.
I'm confused.
I' confused.
No photos, Aldo?
Hey, you know, if you're
not, if you're not happy,
then, then go.
I, I, I didn't ask for your
appraisal.
I wanted to meet you.
I met you.
This feels rotten inside,
smells sour.
I'm
repulsed.
This chair has been disturbed
To them
the chair is gorgeous.
To them
the chair isn't holding
the blue soul of Camille,
but to Aldo, she is visible,
laid bare.
He's found Camille.
My chair.
Inside
Camille
is screaming.
It's one of mine.
She's screaming out
to Olivier.
I was certain.
Keep me.
I remember.
Keep me with you.
This feels blue, blue, blue.
The blue, blue, blue.
I take you home.
I take you home.
You belong to me.
So first we are going to take
a picture of the chair,
and then Mr. Fabbri
is going to take the chair.
No, no.
Oh, this is for the archives.
It's not for resale.
But any of Mr. Fabbri's pieces
can be yours.
Far more expensive pieces.
No, I'm,
I'm really not so interested.
You know, whole room
sets, multiple pieces.
We can get you a sofa.
No.
I want you to leave.
I want you,
I want you to leave.
I will take this chair.
No
I take this chair.
Get the picture.
Flash.
Marta has returned
with roses for Olivier.
Why are you holding our chair?
She wants him back.
Put it down.
Olivier,
what have they done?
I've missed you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Look at me.
Look at me.
Look at me.
Look at me.
I love you. I love you.
I love you. I love
you. I love you.
I love you. I love you.
Look at me.
It's been weeks.
Everything is still, the body
of Camille is a shape
that means nothing.
Camille.
You're in shock.
It's the trauma. You don't
have to talk to Lisa,
but you can talk to me.
But you don't have to.
I was thinking the last
time I remember seeing you
happy was when we were
shopping for furniture.
Remember?
You found that chair.
Camille.
I should have
offered earlier.
I feel awful.
I have so much money. Why
didn't I buy it for you?
I am gonna find it
and reunite you.
It'll be like that summer
in Palermo with Gianluca.
Remember when I saw him again?
He walked down Via Roma as if
against a wind with an aching
to touch me.
Ooh. It had been so long.
Camille.
I understand
what you're doing.
You are asking can we be
successful at sitting together
saying nothing.
When we're talking,
are we really just
saying nothing?
You are saying all of
this with your silence.
The need to be silent,
to listen,
to not be talking.
I'm going to not talk too.
Yes.
Two women
saying nothing.
Thank you, Camille.
I vow to you. I am
gonna find you the chair.
I will pay whatever it costs.
And if the new owner won't
take my money
I'll sell my body.
And if they don't want
my body,
I will devastate their life.
Wreck it.
And they'll
give me the chair.
They'll beg me to take it.
I, I promise
I'll get it.
This is Camille now.
This is her.
She is this.
Who cares?
Who cares?
Camille.
Lisa found a chair.
You were right. It's famous.
That's the one, isn't it?
Oh, absolutely.
It looks different
than I remember.
I guess so.
But that's the one.
Despite the
designer's concerns,
Camille looks perfect.
She makes the perfect piece
of furniture.
Olivier Dumont.
What a name.
Of course, French.
Class.
Says here he is a collector.
So he's rich. He won't want
our money. He'll never sell.
A French collector would
know what's worth keeping.
Poor Camille. She'll
be so sad. She'll cry.
Maybe just seeing the chair
will make her feel better.
Maybe she doesn't need to own
it. Maybe owning it is jejune.
It's just a thought.
Am I crazy?
No. Never.
Camille really wanted it.
I want to feel that wanting.
Me too.
We never buy. Absolutely not.
Well, sometimes we buy, but
never her. She never buys.
She never actually wants
anything.
No, she doesn't.
Irene called Aldo
Fabbri's studio.
They gave her Olivier's
number without questions.
She called
Olivier. A woman answered.
Marta.
Irene mentioned
the chair.
Marta was relieved. Now
she hated the chair.
She would happily
sell.
They agreed to meet.
It's a deep despair she's in.
The deepest, you can see.
Yeah, I understand.
I'm also despairing.
Olivier used to love me,
but he's turned me
into this woman
who bought him his favorite
thing and nothing more.
I can't catch his eyes.
He won't look at me.
I don't know him.
He still loves you, Marta.
Of course he still loves you.
It's just a chair. Everybody
needs to calm down.
I dunno.
I don't have
a good feeling about it.
Yes, I am now thinking
this chair
is bad for all of us.
I agree.
So you come to the apartment
and...
Yes.
And we can just see if...
If Camille responds.
Fucking piss alley.
You can sit on me.
You can sit on me.
Sit on me. Sit on me.
Sit on me. Sit on me.
Crush me. Crush me.
Crush me. Oh, oh, oh, oh.
I'm underneath you.
I am beneath everyone.
Why won't she stand up?
Where's her dignity?
She doesn't care what
anyone thinks about her.
That's what Camille's
always been like.
Wouldn't she resent
being sat on?
Resentment is like
drinking poison
and waiting for the
other person to die.
Camille made that up.
What does it mean?
We've never known.
Olivier, wake up.
Someone is here
to see your chair.
Here it is.
Camille.
We found the chair.
Marta.
Marta Mar. Marta. What's
happening? Who is this?
Our friend needs your help.
A tender mercy.
Look at her.
Olivier finally
sees the female shape
of the soul that he loves.
The form of
the woman inside the chair.
She's not someone he would
look at twice or once.
He'd never love Camille.
He loves women like Marta,
women who are jealous.
I don't know
what I can do for her.
Please, can she sit in
your chair?
It's gorgeous.
No, no, no.
This, it's, it's mine.
Just share Olivier.
Just for a moment. Come put
your arms around me instead.
No, no. You're you're
not mine. This is mine.
This is mine.
She's his.
Camille is so happy.
It's easy, easy happy.
Please let her stay happy.
Please.
Let her sit.
Let her sit.
Inside the chair
Camille is trembling.
Wherever she goes.
There she is.
A lifelong horror.
Camille feels
Camille.
She'd forgotten her own skin.
The insecurity of bones,
the uncertainty of limbs.
But nothing happens.
Nothing. Camille is so
happy she could cry.
Water might seep like sap
from this wood.
Nothing is happening.
Is it working?
Camille is
still a chair.
Does she seem better to you?
We've done what we could.
Let's give up.
I wish Camille
could be her old
self again.
Yes. Like she used to be. We
didn't ask for this change.
God, I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish. I wish.
I wish.
Huh?
Olivier.
Olivier.
Olivier.
Hey.
Here we, come on Camille.
Come on. We're gonna go.
That's it. That's it.
I'm so sorry about this.
How embarrassing for her.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,
no, no. Come on. Come here.
Come on.
No, no, no.
It's okay.
No, no, no, no.
So sorry.
No.
Wait, wait.
Olivier.
Look at me.
Olivier.
Does he see
something in her eyes?
Something of the chair?
Look at me.
Anything?
No. And she knows it.
What?
No.
No.
Come on. We're gonna go on.
Come on.
You're okay, you're okay.
We have you We're here.
Love is gone.
Camille lives
the same old life.
The life of regular
Camille.
Lunch with Lisa
and Irene.
Shoe shopping
with her mother, waiting
for the painter downstairs
to collect his mail so
that she can watch
his teeth rip open
the corner of an envelope.
Flipping through postcards.
She wishes,
not that she was traveling,
but that she was
the city itself.
The beautiful scenery.
In dreams
she feels like furniture.
An interior designed.
[Shopping chatter]
[Shopping chatter]
My goodness.
That chair is gorgeous.
Look at its body.
Its material.
Its design.
Must be expensive.
What a stunner.
You wouldn't know
to look at her.
But Camille is a secure
and satisfied person.
She keeps a quote from a book.
"Resentment is like drinking
poison and waiting
for the other person to die".
Camille agrees with that.
Camille enjoys going to lunch
with Lisa and Irene.
Each week she hopes that
lunch will be a salon
of ideas ranging in topics,
vast and tremendous.
But lunch is devoid of ideas
and filled with crisis.
Even though Camille
can't relate to crisis,
she listens with sympathy.
She would rather wipe
their tears than be home.
Home is also devoid
of ideas.
And food.
Camille always says yes
to lunch
and to shopping after
lunch.
I like this one.
It's very nice.
But you don't need it.
No. Do you need a stool?
I don't think so.
I guess
you're done buying furniture.
I'm at the end of my
space.
I need a chair.
For what?
Guests?
Oh, a hopeful chair.
A chair with promise.
Let's really look then,
instead of all this, what if.
Ooh, I'm excited.
Me too. We never buy.
No. Never.
Hmm.
That's interesting.
Sort of unfinished.
I think it's above my head.
Hmm. Good point. Good point.
This is a set of four.
That is a set of four.
It's a set of four.
It's quite a lovely
primary yellow.
Oh, yeah.
But does that go with the
scheme of your apartment?
I can't remember. What
do you think of that?
I don't like it.
No? Too primitive?
You'd think it would be.
Comfortable.
Well, I mean, it's
Camille's chair to be had.
Do you want me to spin
you?
I could go for a spin.
Squishy.
Is it comfortable?
I don't think so.
Oh, you like it?
I like, I sort of like it.
Do you like it?
I don't know.
No. I don't really love
it. No.
Do you like this one?
It's pink.
Oh, it's pink
Isn't your apartment pink?
Some is pink.
Some is pink.
It's not a full concept.
It's different.
Just a brush of paint.
Is it fancy?
Who made?
Okay. Are you
ready?
You look pretty, Anna.
And there we go.
Camille feels
nothing.
None of the chairs in
the showroom call to her
until she sees
the stunner.
Here's a woman who's never
been particularly jealous
of any other woman,
realizing that
she deeply envies this chair.
Its beauty.
Its usefulness.
Its deserving of praise.
It's so easy to compliment
a gorgeous chair.
Who needs or appreciates
Camille
as much as they do a chair?
Anyone?
She's never been able
to just sit there silently
and still be seen.
Loved.
That's a life that she
wants
instead of the life
of always having to perform.
Camille.
Excuse me.
Which one of you works here?
I do.
Well there's no
price tag on the chair.
I know.
Is it for sale?
Of course.
How much does it cost?
I'm a serious buyer.
We don't do installments.
We are wondering, what
kind of chair is it?
I don't understand
the question.
Where did it come from?
A vendor.
What is a vendor?
A dealer, an art collector.
Someone who sells us
furniture.
What is their name?
Our vendors don't sell
directly to customers.
I'm gonna buy it.
I just have a few questions.
What are your questions?
I'm asking them.
The chair came in yesterday.
It was priced last night.
A very fair price, and now put
in the showroom this morning.
So here it is. And clearly
it's made out of wood.
It's very nice wood.
But do you have the space
for it? It isn't very small.
Do you own anything wood?
You can't have mismatched
with them.
It is beautiful.
I'm gonna buy it.
This is a very expensive store
Camille.
We never buy.
We could
always go to sidewalk sales.
Absolutely.
My kitchen mat is from a
sidewalk sale.
But that's a kitchen mat.
How much do you think
it costs? But really.
Let me really look at it.
God. Just look at it.
Beautiful.
Maybe.
I have the space for it.
Of course
you can afford a new chair.
This chair would match
what I'm already
doing with the house.
It would look perfect in the
room.
What are you two saying?
It's a great expense.
What if Lisa bought it?
She can afford to, and you
could come and visit it.
That sounds funny, but
you know what I mean?
The chair would stay in our
lives is what she means.
Her friends also
admire the chair.
In fact, they're fawning.
An object of desire.
How simple.
How essential.
Camille just
wants it
very much.
I'll just look into
my finances
and go through my checkbook
tonight.
I'm sure I'll have enough.
Oh, Camille
I envy your restraint.
Of course
it'll be here tomorrow.
What time do you open?
I'll be here at 11:00 AM
tomorrow.
We don't hold.
I never see anyone in here.
The chair will be yours
Camille.
It's so hard to say
goodbye.
Camille's monthly
expenses
leave little room for trifles.
How will I do it?
I really don't know.
Lunch with Lisa
and Irene
costs Camille $75 a week.
Her only savings.
For a few months
Camille will have to say no
to lunch.
Lisa and Irene saw the
chair. They'll understand.
Hello?
Hi, Camille. It's Lisa.
I need to talk.
Are you mad at me?
I'm mad at myself.
Oh, don't be.
I'm feeling very negatively
toward Irene.
I'm feeling
very jealous.
Resentment is like
drinking poison
and waiting for the other
person to die.
That's true.
I mean it, Lisa.
My stomach hurts.
This is really affecting me.
But Irene's so jealous
of all your money
and all your clothes.
Well, that's nice to hear.
Still.
I'm worried about myself.
These are dark emotions.
What?
Don't waste your time
In that sense
it's aging me.
Are you smoking?
Yes.
You're going to lose
so much weight.
I can't really afford
the habit.
That's good. Did you
know Irene's considering
moving back to France?
She didn't really live
in France.
But she spent time there.
She was in love, and
we were happy for her
Three months in France.
We were happy for her
not moving to France.
We're not happy about that.
You wanna move to France
Lisa?
Yes.
But you just bought
that big house.
This is exactly why I called.
For your unique perspective.
Camille's friends
know that she takes
a bird's eye view.
She sees life from a great
height, peering down.
Why be jealous of Irene
when she's just another woman,
only slightly different
than you?
To an alien, you and Irene are
essentially the same person.
To a martian,
you're interchangeable.
To a martian
who doesn't understand
the Earthling experience,
we are all already doing it.
There is no more
human human than
any other human.
So what more is there to want
there?
If I were to feel envy,
I would envy
a perfectly manicured poodle
or a perfectly manicured park
or a chair
that had everyone's eye.
And the eye was fascinated
by even the simplest way
the chair can be.
This is not
the perspective
Lisa was hoping for.
It's 11.
Camille's loss is
unutterable.
Who brought it?
I can't tell you that.
Absolute heartbreak.
Did they mention me?
Did they mention you?
I wanna be friends with women.
It's important, but
there's so much jealousy.
I wish we were each
special, but we're not.
I don't have anything anyone
could envy.
I could have had
this chair.
I'm sorry.
What I'm asking
is
did one
of my friends
buy it?
You think one of your friends
bought this chair
behind your back?
Yes.
It was a gift.
No.
They're themselves then, huh?
Okay.
Is this the name of
one of your friends?
No.
Good.
Excuse me.
Hi. Yes. Thank you for calling.
Yes.
Would you mind holding?
Is there anything else
I can help you with?
Yes.
What is it?
I would
like to sit in the chair.
It's becoming too much. You
need to move on.
I will.
Please do not sit in the
chair. It's been sold.
May I just touch the arm?
You're
not planning to damage it.
Are you?
Something that like,
if you can't have it, no
one can. That kind of thing.
You're not listening to me.
I'm not one of those
jealous women.
I want everyone to have
everything they want.
Calm down, please.
I just.
I'll touch it
and then I'll go.
Just hurry.
Oh, to be someone's
favorite thing.
I can't have you.
Camille closes
her eyes.
I wish I could just
that I could just be here.
I wish.
I wish.
I wish, I wish, wish I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
I wish.
I wish.
I wish.
That I could just.
Camille's wish
come true.
Her body is now the chair,
and the chair
holds her soul within it.
Goodbye, Camille.
Camille thinks.
Do you need help out?
I'll call Irene.
I'm sorry it took me so
long. I had to finish my food.
Irene reveals
concern at her friend's state,
but is already
chatting about herself
and everything she
needs to get done today.
Busy, busy, busy.
Marta has come back
to pick up her chair.
A perfect purchase.
Olivier doesn't know
how to make money.
Not the kind of money
that lasts.
He's down to nothing.
But he likes that.
He prefers to be spare.
Without.
Olivier was sharing rent
with Marta, but she's left him
and taken all of their things.
And that's fine.
He'll teach himself to buy
when it matters
what's for sale.
You're wearing a suit.
You said.
It's perfect.
You're beautiful.
Anyone would think so.
Do you need
to wear your glasses?
Only to play.
Then take them off.
So after you've done your
set, you'll take requests.
Request until morning.
Oh.
Oh, geez. I better not drink.
You'll drink whatever's
offered.
But it... I'll fall asleep.
It's already midnight.
But I'm not tired.
It's only midnight.
You're doing me a huge
one. You really are.
Oh, well. This covers
my rent for months.
This covers Marta.
This covers a haircut.
I haven't had a haircut.
Terrific.
We're helping each other.
What are you playing tonight?
A little light jazz.
What are you playing tonight?
Whatever they want.
Whatever they want.
What's it like up there?
It's like heaven and lonely.
Can heaven be lonely?
It's certainly not crowded.
Do you like women?
Fucking them.
Smelling them.
Who doesn't like women?
Most men. Most women.
Have you ever worked in
retail?
High end.
You know where the
customers want everything
expensive and unavailable.
And whenever some fancy cunt
comes in
and asks where this coat
was designed, you have
to tell them London or Europe.
Then you pamper them.
You show them gloves
and you say
no one would ever dare.
I'm just a piano player.
Perfect.
You're really something
to look at.
I'm, I'm just the background.
No one should be looking
at me when I'm playing.
They should be looking
at each other
closer.
And where will you be looking?
Oh, I look down at the keys.
Not when we met.
Your eyes were closed.
That was a strange night.
You played too long.
I wanted to smash the lid
of your baby grand
down on your fingers.
I wanted to shatter
your hands.
I would've paid a thousand
dollars for you to stop.
Maybe more.
What a review.
I don't like the piano.
Don't you play?
I'm just the entertainment.
It's time.
Look at you.
You're nervous.
This is a terrific party.
A great room.
And the women.
Oh, yeah.
Oh yes.
So.
You play your set.
Yes. Play my set.
Take requests.
Right?
You're not the background
tonight.
You're the fantasy.
It's noon. Olivier. I knocked.
I didn't mean to surprise you.
I'm not surprised.
I bought you a chair.
It's just been delivered.
That's thoughtful.
Thank you, Marta.
You can't tell because of all
the wrapping, but
it's gorgeous.
The chair is?
Yeah.
Who would describe a chair
as gorgeous?
Me. I would.
It's odd
only having one chair.
I guess I'm only one man.
You'll be fine.
I'll love again?
It really is such a beautiful
chair and an extravagance.
There were women in
the store and they were
losing their minds over it.
They were in absolute mania.
Do you want it, Marta?
Yeah, but I feel bad for
taking everything else.
Then I'll keep it.
Should I leave my key?
Keep them.
Finally.
There she is.
Camille.
It's hard to admit even to
himself, but Marta was right.
The chair is gorgeous.
How many people sat
in your lap last night?
As many as on mine?
We're just two seats
aren't we?
Camille can feel
the entire
weight of him crushing her.
She left me.
This is the best
part.
With nothing but you.
His body finds
comfort.
Then deep sleep leap.
She is valuable.
That's new.
And then
the nightmare comes.
Do you take?
Do you take?
Do you take the requests?
Do you take?
Do you take requests?
Please boy?
Do you take requests?
Do you take requests?
Do you take requests?
Can I ask for?
Do you take?
Please, boy.
Hey, boy.
Do you take requests?
Hey, boy.
You are all right.
Perfectly all right.
We like to be handled gently.
You need to be treated
with care.
I had a terrible dream
about the other night.
Can I tell you?
I met up with Gary.
You got a proposition for me.
Basically.
It's all she wants
to hear
I was treated like an object.
Life is good
for Camille's body.
It's taken time off of
work and socializing.
It feels no stress.
Camille always wanted to be
hard to reach.
Now she's totally unavailable.
Knock knock.
Camille?
It's your mother.
You've left the door
unlocked, so I'm just gonna
let myself in.
I, I don't know where to put
all this.
I called
but you didn't pick up.
I brought that soup
that you love.
So you can have soup for
lunch, soup for dinner.
You can go soup mad.
Don't worry.
I came alone.
Your stepfather is still
at the beach house.
He can't get enough
of that view.
I like postcards.
Postcards are cheaper.
Of course, a painting
lasts longer.
I know, I know.
Well, I, I bashed my face
on the medicine cabinet.
It's the mother and
father of all black eyes.
David keeps joking that
everyone will assume
that he battered me,
such as his reputation.
Him hit me. That's funny.
I'm the abuser.
I've done everything
to that man
but grow a forked tongue.
Camille.
Everyone makes such fun of me.
What else?
Oh, you're back to these.
This reminds me of my last
year at the travel agency.
They tried to kill me
with those hours.
And I sank into such despair.
Alcohol and ibuprofen
and nicotine,
and
I had to be hypnotized.
You don't want that.
Throw them away?
Okay, then.
Yes. Good, good, good.
Hmm.
What else? What else?
Are those the shoes
that I got for you?
You've never even worn them.
No. The the stuffing is still
in the toe.
Well, it, let's just
take this stepping out
and try them on, shall we?
It fits.
Camille, trying
is all I ever ask of you.
That you try for me.
Can I have a big, big hug?
You only have one mother
in this life.
Have you ever thought
about that?
And I only have one daughter.
You.
Just you.
Only you.
You.
Did you just roll your eyes
at me?
Don't make fun.
Thank you for listening.
You never listen.
But you've become a really
good listener
as you've gotten older.
Camille's body has
really moved Camille's mother.
What else?
A chair makes
a very good daughter
some days.
We could organize your closet
and maybe we would find
some other shoes
that you could get rid of.
That would be fun.
Oh. Oh my God.
By heavens.
Hello?
Olivier, it's Gio.
You never got back to me.
No?
About dinner tonight.
What time?
Seven.
Sure. Seven is good.
See you at seven.
Olivier didn't ask
if he could bring
his own chair.
What kind of question is that
anyway?
And whose business is it
really?
What chair he wants to sit in.
He's a guest on his own terms.
This is the most beautiful
dinnerware I've ever seen.
Hand painted.
Hand painted.
He bought the full set.
I was with him.
What comes in a full set?
I know, it's six dinner
plates, six salad plates.
Six soup bowls.
Six dessert plates.
Six leeway glasses, six mugs.
Six stem wine glasses,
12 forks, big and small.
Six knives and 12 spoons.
Big and small.
What a waste.
After tonight
you won't use any of it.
I'll use the forks.
What about those tiny cups
with the saucers under them?
No, no, no.
The cup and the saucer
are an exception.
I guess he didn't get
the full set.
Olivier.
Join in.
I have.
I have one plate, one fork,
and one knife.
Because Marta took everything
else?
Things are just...
things.
She didn't take the
keyboard.
She's not a fiend.
I would say so.
Are you still
playing keyboard?
She means for money.
Course for money.
What's he going to play
for?
Glass beads.
You would be the perfect piano
player at a department store.
Remember those? My mother
worked in a shoe section.
Did she like it?
I think it saved her life.
Selling shoes.
You have to have a positive
attitude to sell shoes.
You have to feel good.
You have to be good.
A sale isn't a good sale
unless it's a good buy
for the customer.
Olivier.
You should be selling shoes
at a department store.
Maybe.
Don't tell him that.
Tell him he should be playing
piano at Carnegie Hall.
God, that's stupid too.
He shouldn't
have come.
He tried to keep friends.
Why?
Olivier.
Friends don't really
suit him.
Did you ever talk
to that guy again?
Oh, what guy?
Olivier knows who I mean.
Oh, don't say. Is it
someone that we all know?
The one who Marta...
No.
Not that one.
I know which one.
Oh, don't say.
Let us guess.
Gary.
Who's Gary?
The Hooker.
I remember the hooker.
I never heard of this.
They met
at an anniversary party
where
Olivier was hired to play
all night from dusk to dawn.
You said.
That sounds romantic.
Piano till sunrise.
But why was there a hooker?
He came on to Olivier.
No, that's not the story.
He offered you a job,
didn't he?
That's a proposition.
A job as a hooker?
I don't understand.
You were playing piano.
I see the connection.
I think.
Did you ever talk to him
again?
Don't pressure him to
answer
It's conversation.
Conversation is pressure.
Jerry, Yari, Giri...
Sounds like a made up name.
It is. I'm guessing.
Olivier, tell us.
Gary is a guy I know.
Who cares?
Oh, sure. Say who cares?
That's just perfect. Who
cares about anything?
Who even cares about war?
That's a good point.
That's such an easy out.
Who cares?
You can answer any question
that way.
What time is it?
Who cares?
I have a question.
What comes
in a full dining room set?
I know.
A table and six chairs.
Four without armrests, and
then two with armrest
for the heads of the table.
Maybe there's an extender.
And then eight chairs.
And how many chairs come with
this dining room set?
Who cares?
It's a good point.
Why did
you bring your own chair?
She's allowed to ask.
Marta.
Marta bought him the chair.
So you get it.
You have to cut her free.
Well, she left him,
from what I can see.
The chair looks expensive.
I can't really see.
Marta does have incredible
taste.
What was that joke we
used to say about her?
For such a big bitch
she's got such a small nose.
I just believe
you shouldn't be attached
to something Marta gave you.
She's leaving you
with nothing.
Plus you're bringing it places
with you now. It's awkward.
It's perverse.
Can we see the chair?
From here it looks gorgeous.
Olivier,
stand up for a second.
Yes, stand up.
My God, he's refusing
to get up.
Oh, that's fine.
I'll get up.
Ah. Oh, it's beautiful.
It's lovely. I love it.
But I would really be able
to see it better
if the chair were empty.
I wanna sit in it.
Olivier, get up.
You should really clean that.
You should go dab that
or it'll, it'll stain.
Yes. Go.
Olivier, what is wrong
with you?
Grab his hands.
Just get up.
No.
It will be fine.
Just get up.
No, no.
No, no, no.
They're fighting
over her.
Men, women.
They're all fighting to get
closer to Camille.
It's heaven.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no.
Stop.
A chair is a chair.
Olivier once thought so.
Now he feels differently.
He feels.
He wants to be in there
with her.
It hurts to be away.
But he also sees
how popular she is.
And for a moment, he
allows himself the luxury
of feeling like a man
who owns a woman
who everyone he knows
wants to fuck.
No, you stop.
This is nice.
I'm happy.
I feel good.
Relaxed.
Wine
with Lisa and Irene.
Usually this happens at Lisa's
because she has
the biggest house.
But tonight, Camille's
friends felt like she needed
them to come to her.
Camille.
They're happy to.
Try the wine.
It's crisp.
I forgot. You like sweet.
Don't tell us
you're not drinking.
No.
She'll have a taste. One sip.
It's not the same without you.
It's not a cocktail,
if you're worried about
the sugar.
Is this because of Martin?
Who's Martin?
Isn't that his name?
Nobody told me about Martin.
The painter
who lives downstairs.
The painter who lives
downstairs. Is that a riddle?
You've seen him.
He's handsome.
Camille, you never told me.
Oh, was it a secret?
I feel sad. You didn't
feel you could trust me.
I'm disappointed.
I let the secret slip.
Does Martin not drink?
No.
Well, that's not fair.
I mean, he can't ask Camille
to take on his lifestyle.
Maybe she wants to.
You're
upset with me for telling.
She's mad at me for knowing
too.
Has Olivier
ever appreciated
the furniture in his home?
No.
Everything has always belonged
to a woman he believed
he loved, or a man he tried
to befriend, foolishly.
They first bring over
a bookshelf
and then a nightstand,
a coat rack.
And eventually they go.
Sometimes with the things
they brought
and sometimes without.
Whatever is still here,
has been left behind.
He is another thing
left behind.
But he leaves nothing behind
because he's going nowhere.
Has he ever made time to
enjoy these possessions?
Never.
Until Camille.
What do the things
we love give back to us?
Pleasure?
We want them.
We buy them.
We use them.
That's pleasure.
Olivier
could use some of that.
Please.
Camille begs.
Use me.
Talk to us, Camille.
Let's talk.
When you're sad.
We're sad.
When you cry, it makes us cry.
Please, don't cry.
Camille, you're alive.
How many people across
time can actually say that?
You have so much.
You have us.
We love you.
We love you.
So you couldn't buy the chair.
I think it's a good time
to move on.
I know exactly how you feel.
Exactly.
I have been there
a hundred times.
I can easily find you
a better chair.
I can absolutely do that.
Don't even think about it.
Wipe it from your mind.
There is only one version
of you
and it's the version
without the chair.
Isn't that helpful
to remember?
I'm beginning to think
that you wanna be sad.
Do you wanna be
depressive?
Do you, Camille?
Do you?
How can you just lie there?
You're being so selfish.
It's just a chair.
Stupid chair.
He's been following
Camille for months.
He's been watching her
apartment for weeks.
He could wait no longer.
Tonight he had to get closer.
He had to come inside.
He's going to attack her.
Don't scream, Camille.
What am I going to do?
Whatever I want.
If I want to kill you, I
will. I'll just kill you.
If I want to have sex
with you, I'll do that.
If I want to take you
somewhere,
then we'll go, together.
I wanna do that most.
I'll tie you up first.
We're gonna go out the window.
He will kiss her
under the moon first
on the balcony.
He will touch her
where he likes.
If she fights,
he will fight back.
And if she refuses,
he will force.
Is she willing?
Is she obedient?
She doesn't scream
or beg to be spared.
What a disappointment for him.
What an absolute failure.
I'm the one that hurts,
Camille.
I've had real love, Jennifer.
Two years I spent
trying to win her.
I listened to what she
liked. I learned her.
She didn't, she didn't
want gifts or phone calls.
She had goals.
She loved to lift very,
very heavy weights.
Heavier all the time.
She, she would only talk
about firmness.
Only read books
about strength.
She became dull.
But I stayed loving her.
Did I want her to curl
her hair? Eyelashes?
She would only say yes to
dinner.
Dinner had to be
plain, lean.
Dinner for strength.
There was no bliss
for Jennifer.
But that's what I wanted
to give her.
I offered my open arms.
She finally accepted.
We made it to the bedroom.
It was dark.
And Jennifer undressed.
She was so strong.
The shape of her, her outline.
Hard.
Quickly undressed.
We were naked together.
She, she seemed to be mine.
She reached out
to touch my chest
or touch.
My body
became as plain as
her dinner. Just a pink.
Just a pink bobby flesh.
She started to poke me.
Poking and poking and poking.
Just poking.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You could use some more
definition.
You're so kind. You're
even good to me.
I don't deserve your kindness.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
He wants to hold her
closer, but he's too weak now.
He loses his grip.
You know what I mean?
I hadn't eaten more.
Lisa forgot her
lipstick upstairs.
Camille?
They know danger.
They're looking at him.
Camille killed him.
He tried to rape her.
He would've murdered her.
But she's okay?
She's a hero.
Camille's a hero?
Olivier has done
a crazy thing.
He's gotten rid of
everything but Camille.
Olivier can't get enough.
He yearns to know more.
Who designed it?
What secrets can they share?
Aldo Fabbri Design. Hello?
Hello.
I own one
of Aldo Fabbri's chairs.
Wonderful. Thank you.
I want to meet Aldo.
You're a collector?
Yes.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Thank you.
I'll come to the studio.
Appointments are not possible,
but do you mind
describing the chair?
It's...
Where did you get it?
I...
Are you hoping to buy another?
No, there isn't another.
Oh, I understand.
You have one of the Soltanto
chairs. The Onlys.
Yes.
We've spoken to
the other Soltanto collectors.
They've all said yes
to being in
Mr. Fabbri's profile
by Design Magazine.
We'll come to your home for an
interview
and some photographs.
A profile? Yeah. I'm not sure.
Well, Mr. Fabbri will be
so grateful. It's wonderful.
Thank you.
Alright.
Yes.
The photographer,
his art director,
his studio intern,
the journalist
and Aldo Fabbri.
Camille is
their model.
She is the object
that holds the gaze.
It's all so new,
being beheld.
Something is wrong.
What? What is it?
I haven't discovered it yet.
I will.
It's your chair?
A Soltanto?
I know, I designed it,
but I don't recognize it
at all.
Did you have it refinished?
Sanded?
Stained?
No.
A fake?
A cheap copy?
Does this look cheap to you?
Does this look like anything
less than the absolute best?
No copy.
Maybe a modification,
altered from the original.
I'm confused.
I' confused.
No photos, Aldo?
Hey, you know, if you're
not, if you're not happy,
then, then go.
I, I, I didn't ask for your
appraisal.
I wanted to meet you.
I met you.
This feels rotten inside,
smells sour.
I'm
repulsed.
This chair has been disturbed
To them
the chair is gorgeous.
To them
the chair isn't holding
the blue soul of Camille,
but to Aldo, she is visible,
laid bare.
He's found Camille.
My chair.
Inside
Camille
is screaming.
It's one of mine.
She's screaming out
to Olivier.
I was certain.
Keep me.
I remember.
Keep me with you.
This feels blue, blue, blue.
The blue, blue, blue.
I take you home.
I take you home.
You belong to me.
So first we are going to take
a picture of the chair,
and then Mr. Fabbri
is going to take the chair.
No, no.
Oh, this is for the archives.
It's not for resale.
But any of Mr. Fabbri's pieces
can be yours.
Far more expensive pieces.
No, I'm,
I'm really not so interested.
You know, whole room
sets, multiple pieces.
We can get you a sofa.
No.
I want you to leave.
I want you,
I want you to leave.
I will take this chair.
No
I take this chair.
Get the picture.
Flash.
Marta has returned
with roses for Olivier.
Why are you holding our chair?
She wants him back.
Put it down.
Olivier,
what have they done?
I've missed you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Look at me.
Look at me.
Look at me.
Look at me.
I love you. I love you.
I love you. I love
you. I love you.
I love you. I love you.
Look at me.
It's been weeks.
Everything is still, the body
of Camille is a shape
that means nothing.
Camille.
You're in shock.
It's the trauma. You don't
have to talk to Lisa,
but you can talk to me.
But you don't have to.
I was thinking the last
time I remember seeing you
happy was when we were
shopping for furniture.
Remember?
You found that chair.
Camille.
I should have
offered earlier.
I feel awful.
I have so much money. Why
didn't I buy it for you?
I am gonna find it
and reunite you.
It'll be like that summer
in Palermo with Gianluca.
Remember when I saw him again?
He walked down Via Roma as if
against a wind with an aching
to touch me.
Ooh. It had been so long.
Camille.
I understand
what you're doing.
You are asking can we be
successful at sitting together
saying nothing.
When we're talking,
are we really just
saying nothing?
You are saying all of
this with your silence.
The need to be silent,
to listen,
to not be talking.
I'm going to not talk too.
Yes.
Two women
saying nothing.
Thank you, Camille.
I vow to you. I am
gonna find you the chair.
I will pay whatever it costs.
And if the new owner won't
take my money
I'll sell my body.
And if they don't want
my body,
I will devastate their life.
Wreck it.
And they'll
give me the chair.
They'll beg me to take it.
I, I promise
I'll get it.
This is Camille now.
This is her.
She is this.
Who cares?
Who cares?
Camille.
Lisa found a chair.
You were right. It's famous.
That's the one, isn't it?
Oh, absolutely.
It looks different
than I remember.
I guess so.
But that's the one.
Despite the
designer's concerns,
Camille looks perfect.
She makes the perfect piece
of furniture.
Olivier Dumont.
What a name.
Of course, French.
Class.
Says here he is a collector.
So he's rich. He won't want
our money. He'll never sell.
A French collector would
know what's worth keeping.
Poor Camille. She'll
be so sad. She'll cry.
Maybe just seeing the chair
will make her feel better.
Maybe she doesn't need to own
it. Maybe owning it is jejune.
It's just a thought.
Am I crazy?
No. Never.
Camille really wanted it.
I want to feel that wanting.
Me too.
We never buy. Absolutely not.
Well, sometimes we buy, but
never her. She never buys.
She never actually wants
anything.
No, she doesn't.
Irene called Aldo
Fabbri's studio.
They gave her Olivier's
number without questions.
She called
Olivier. A woman answered.
Marta.
Irene mentioned
the chair.
Marta was relieved. Now
she hated the chair.
She would happily
sell.
They agreed to meet.
It's a deep despair she's in.
The deepest, you can see.
Yeah, I understand.
I'm also despairing.
Olivier used to love me,
but he's turned me
into this woman
who bought him his favorite
thing and nothing more.
I can't catch his eyes.
He won't look at me.
I don't know him.
He still loves you, Marta.
Of course he still loves you.
It's just a chair. Everybody
needs to calm down.
I dunno.
I don't have
a good feeling about it.
Yes, I am now thinking
this chair
is bad for all of us.
I agree.
So you come to the apartment
and...
Yes.
And we can just see if...
If Camille responds.
Fucking piss alley.
You can sit on me.
You can sit on me.
Sit on me. Sit on me.
Sit on me. Sit on me.
Crush me. Crush me.
Crush me. Oh, oh, oh, oh.
I'm underneath you.
I am beneath everyone.
Why won't she stand up?
Where's her dignity?
She doesn't care what
anyone thinks about her.
That's what Camille's
always been like.
Wouldn't she resent
being sat on?
Resentment is like
drinking poison
and waiting for the
other person to die.
Camille made that up.
What does it mean?
We've never known.
Olivier, wake up.
Someone is here
to see your chair.
Here it is.
Camille.
We found the chair.
Marta.
Marta Mar. Marta. What's
happening? Who is this?
Our friend needs your help.
A tender mercy.
Look at her.
Olivier finally
sees the female shape
of the soul that he loves.
The form of
the woman inside the chair.
She's not someone he would
look at twice or once.
He'd never love Camille.
He loves women like Marta,
women who are jealous.
I don't know
what I can do for her.
Please, can she sit in
your chair?
It's gorgeous.
No, no, no.
This, it's, it's mine.
Just share Olivier.
Just for a moment. Come put
your arms around me instead.
No, no. You're you're
not mine. This is mine.
This is mine.
She's his.
Camille is so happy.
It's easy, easy happy.
Please let her stay happy.
Please.
Let her sit.
Let her sit.
Inside the chair
Camille is trembling.
Wherever she goes.
There she is.
A lifelong horror.
Camille feels
Camille.
She'd forgotten her own skin.
The insecurity of bones,
the uncertainty of limbs.
But nothing happens.
Nothing. Camille is so
happy she could cry.
Water might seep like sap
from this wood.
Nothing is happening.
Is it working?
Camille is
still a chair.
Does she seem better to you?
We've done what we could.
Let's give up.
I wish Camille
could be her old
self again.
Yes. Like she used to be. We
didn't ask for this change.
God, I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish.
I wish. I wish. I wish.
I wish.
Huh?
Olivier.
Olivier.
Olivier.
Hey.
Here we, come on Camille.
Come on. We're gonna go.
That's it. That's it.
I'm so sorry about this.
How embarrassing for her.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,
no, no. Come on. Come here.
Come on.
No, no, no.
It's okay.
No, no, no, no.
So sorry.
No.
Wait, wait.
Olivier.
Look at me.
Olivier.
Does he see
something in her eyes?
Something of the chair?
Look at me.
Anything?
No. And she knows it.
What?
No.
No.
Come on. We're gonna go on.
Come on.
You're okay, you're okay.
We have you We're here.
Love is gone.
Camille lives
the same old life.
The life of regular
Camille.
Lunch with Lisa
and Irene.
Shoe shopping
with her mother, waiting
for the painter downstairs
to collect his mail so
that she can watch
his teeth rip open
the corner of an envelope.
Flipping through postcards.
She wishes,
not that she was traveling,
but that she was
the city itself.
The beautiful scenery.
In dreams
she feels like furniture.
An interior designed.
[Shopping chatter]