Character Relationship Map: Easy Down There!

Characters

• Simon Médieu (played by Alain Delon) — protagonist

  Simon Médieu is a priest serving a remote coastal parish whose religious vocation began after he believed Rita had drowned. When he learns that she is alive and wants to return, he struggles between h...

• Bishop (played by Paul Meurisse) — supporting

  The Bishop is Simon Médieu's religious adviser and a representative of the Church. Simon confides in him about Rita's return and his desire to take her back. The Bishop reminds him of the Church's pos...

• Rita (played by Nathalie Delon) — supporting

  Rita is Simon Médieu's former wife, whom he believed had drowned seven years earlier. She had staged her death to free him from their unhappy marriage, but later sought him out after seeing his photog...

• Mickey (played by André Bollet) — supporting

  Mickey is Rita's current husband, described by Simon as a criminal. He tries to prevent Simon from speaking with Rita, leading to a direct confrontation and a physical fight. His resistance intensifie...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Rita → Mickey (Family Husband And Wife) — Mickey is identified in the account as Rita's current husband, whom she wants to leave so she can return to Simon.

  The stranger tells Simon that he is Rita's husband, and Simon describes Rita's husband as a criminal before encountering Mickey in the dispute over ac...

• Simon Médieu → Bishop (Professional Cleric And Ecclesiastical Authority) — The Bishop advises Simon as he weighs his attachment to Rita against his priestly vows, then prepares to handle the formalities of Simon's decision.

  Simon confides in the Bishop about Rita and asks what to do. The Bishop reminds him of the Church's position on priests marrying, cautions him not to...

• Simon Médieu → Rita (Romantic Former Spouses Reunited) — Their former marriage and Simon's belief that Rita had drowned shaped his decision to enter the clergy. Her return revives their affection, and Simon decides to leave the priesthood to return to her.

  The stranger identifies himself as Rita's husband and explains that Rita staged her death to free Simon from their unhappy marriage. Rita later tells...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Simon Médieu → Mickey (Conflict Adversarial Confrontation) — Mickey obstructs Simon's attempt to reach Rita, and their dispute escalates into a physical fight.

  Simon comes face to face with Mickey, insists that he must speak to Rita, and fights with him after Mickey tries to keep him away.

Story Analysis

Simon must choose between his priestly life and his renewed love for Rita after learning that she is alive and wants to return to him.

Plot Progression

1. The Past Returns — A stranger tells Simon that Rita is alive and is now his wife. Simon learns that Rita staged her death and later wanted to see him again.
2. Duty and Obstruction — Simon asks the Bishop for counsel, and the Bishop reminds him of the Church's position on priests marrying. Simon's effort to reach Rita is blocked by Mickey and ends in a fight.
3. A Priest's Inner Conflict — Simon continues his duties and gives a passionate sermon to local seafarers. His words and music reflect the strain of his unresolved feelings.
4. Choosing Rita — Rita asks Simon to choose whether to take her back or leave her. Simon decides to surrender his priestly robe, and they reunite while arranging to meet the Bishop about formalities.