Character Relationship Map: Le Divorce

Characters

• Isabel Walker (played by Kate Hudson) — protagonist

  Isabel is an American visiting Paris to support her pregnant sister, Roxeanne, during a painful separation. She takes a job offered by Olivia, dates Yves while conducting an affair with Edgar, and bec...

• Olivia Pace (played by Glenn Close) — supporting

  Olivia is an American author based in Paris and a friend of Roxeanne. She offers Isabel employment, helping her establish an independent life in the city while her sister's marriage collapses. Olivia...

• Edgar Cosset (played by Thierry Lhermitte) — supporting

  Edgar is a wealthy, married, middle-aged member of Charles-Henri's family. He is attracted to Isabel and begins an affair with her, sending expensive gifts including a red Kelly bag. His wife learns o...

• Charles-Henri de Persand (played by Melvil Poupaud) — supporting

  Charles-Henri is Roxeanne's French husband and the father of her daughter. He abandons Roxeanne for another relationship, demands a divorce, and hopes to benefit from French community-property laws co...

• Yves (played by Romain Duris) — minor

  Yves is Olivia's protégé and becomes Isabel's initial romantic partner in Paris. Isabel continues dating him while conducting an affair with Edgar, creating an emotional conflict between a younger rel...

Canonical Relationships

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

• Olivia Pace → Yves (Professional Mentor) — Olivia has a guiding professional relationship with Yves.

  The plot describes Yves as Olivia's protégé.

• Charles-Henri de Persand → Isabel Walker (Family Brother In Law) — Charles-Henri is Isabel's brother-in-law through his marriage.

  Isabel travels to Paris to visit her sister, who is married to Charles-Henri.

• Edgar Cosset → Charles-Henri de Persand (Family Brother) — They belong to the same extended family and meet within the family setting.

  At the family's country home, Isabel meets Charles-Henri's brother Edgar Cosset.

• Isabel Walker → Yves (Romantic Partner) — Their relationship develops from casual dating into Isabel's genuine romance.

  Isabel meets Yves through Olivia and begins dating him; after ending her affair with Edgar, she begins a real relationship with Yves.

• Isabel Walker → Edgar Cosset (Romantic Lovers) — Their affair is a major source of Isabel's personal and family conflict.

  Isabel is attracted to Edgar, and they begin an affair despite Edgar being married.

Story Dynamics

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

• Edgar Cosset → Yves (Conflict Romantic Rival) — The two men occupy competing positions in Isabel's romantic life.

  Isabel dates Yves while simultaneously conducting an affair with Edgar.

• Isabel Walker → Olivia Pace (Social Friend) — Olivia is part of Isabel's Parisian social circle.

  The plot identifies Olivia Pace as a friend of Isabel's sister and shows Isabel meeting Olivia in Paris.

Story Analysis

A family crisis in Paris forces Isabel to confront betrayal, desire, violence, and the consequences of divided cultural loyalties.

Plot Progression

1. Parisian Family Rupture — Isabel arrives in Paris and finds her sister abandoned during pregnancy. The husband's mistress, divorce demand, and disputed painting establish the central family and legal conflict.
2. New Desires And Old Wealth — Isabel receives work from Olivia and begins dating Yves. A family brunch introduces Edgar, whose wealth and attention draw Isabel into a secret affair.
3. Secrets Become Public — The Kelly bag exposes Edgar's affair, while divorce pressure and stalking intensify. The emotional strain culminates in the pregnant sister's suicide attempt.
4. Passion Turns Fatal — Family members confront the affair as the separated couple provoke a jealous husband. Murder follows, and the resulting shock sends the pregnancy into labor.
5. Release And Renewal — At the Eiffel Tower, Isabel removes the gun from the crisis and throws it away. She later chooses Yves, while marriage, an auction, and a foundation provide closure.