What a Drag (1996) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A marriage, an affair, and a business deal become entangled, leaving the characters' personal and professional futures unsettled.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Contract and a Dinner

Adrien pursues a major contract from Alexandre and tries to bring Evelyne to dinner. The business gathering becomes charged with flirtation and jealousy.

Key Events

• Evelyne Leaves After a Night Together — Evelyne slips away from a man after spending the night with him. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva Location: Unspecified location
• Adrien Pursues the Contract — Adrien focuses on securing a major contract from banker Alexandre. Characters: Adrien, Alexandre Hagutte Location: Unspecified business setting
• Dinner Invitation — Adrien scrambles to persuade Evelyne to join dinner with Alexandre and Marie. Characters: Adrien, Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte, Marie Hagutte Location: Dinner setting
• Business Meets Flirtation — Business discussion at dinner becomes mixed with jealousy and flirtation. Characters: Adrien, Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte, Marie Hagutte Location: Dinner setting

An Affair Without Escape

Evelyne agrees to see Alexandre, and their affair continues. His questions about her marriage meet her insistence that she loves Adrien, while Marie shares her concerns about motherhood.

Key Events

• Alexandre Pursues Evelyne — Alexandre makes advances toward Evelyne as Adrien worries about the contract. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte, Adrien Location: Dinner setting
• Evelyne Agrees to Meet Alexandre — Evelyne agrees to see Alexandre after his advances at dinner. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte Location: Unspecified location
• The Affair Continues — Evelyne and Alexandre continue their affair without a simple resolution. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte Location: Unspecified location
• Questions About Marriage — Alexandre questions Evelyne's marriage while she says she loves Adrien. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Alexandre Hagutte Location: Unspecified location

Secrets Between Spouses

Evelyne confronts Adrien about his unopened HIV test and warns him against taking risks. She then discloses her father's abuse, bringing painful history into their marital crisis.

Key Events

• Friends Discuss Love and Sex — Evelyne's social circle exchanges jokes and advice about love and sex. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva Location: Social setting
• Marie Shares Her Fears — Marie confides her worries about pregnancy and motherhood to Evelyne. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Marie Hagutte Location: Unspecified location
• The Unopened HIV Test — Evelyne discovers Adrien's unopened test and confronts him about taking risks. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Adrien Location: Unspecified location
• A Painful Disclosure — Evelyne explains that the photograph shows her father and discloses his abuse. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Adrien Location: Unspecified location

A Deal Lost, Questions Remain

Evelyne asks to stay with Adrien, and they postpone their questions for the night. The business deal collapses when André is dismissed, and Marie's party invitation leaves the wider relationships unresolved.

Key Events

• They Stay Together for the Night — Despite their hurt, Evelyne asks to stay with Adrien and they defer their questions. Characters: Evelyne, dite Eva, Adrien Location: Unspecified location
• André Is Dismissed — German executives dismiss André, and the business deal collapses. Characters: André Lemoine Location: Unspecified business setting
• Marie Invites Evelyne to the Party — Marie invites Evelyne to a party celebrating André's firing; André is said to know and laugh along. Characters: Marie Hagutte, Evelyne, dite Eva, André Lemoine Location: Party setting

Story Breakdown

• The Contract Pursuit — Adrien's effort to secure Alexandre's business becomes entangled with the personal relationships around them.
  • Adrien Seeks the Deal — Adrien focuses on obtaining a major contract from banker Alexandre.
  • Dinner Invitation — Adrien tries to persuade Evelyne to join dinner with Alexandre and Marie.
• Dinner Turns Intimate — The business dinner becomes a setting for flirtation and jealousy.
  • Alexandre Makes Advances — Alexandre pursues Evelyne during the gathering.
  • Adrien Manages Encounters — Adrien worries the relationship could threaten his contract and tries to manage their meetings.
• Evelyne and Alexandre — Their affair grows, but it does not offer Evelyne a simple escape from her marriage.
  • Evelyne Agrees to Meet — Evelyne agrees to see Alexandre after his advances.
  • Love and Marriage Questions — Alexandre questions her marriage while she insists she loves Adrien.
• Social Advice and Doubt — Conversations in Evelyne's social circle bring love, sex, and motherhood into focus.
  • Friends Trade Advice — Friends exchange sharp jokes and advice about love and sex.
  • Marie Fears Motherhood — Marie confides that pregnancy and motherhood trouble her and asks whether children might change her life.
• The Marital Crisis — Evelyne confronts Adrien over risk and reveals painful information about her past.
  • The Unopened Test — Evelyne discovers Adrien's HIV test has been left unopened and confronts him.
  • A Warning About Risk — After learning the result is negative, Evelyne tells Adrien this does not permit him to take risks.
• Evelyne's Disclosure — A torn photograph leads Evelyne to share a painful part of her history with Adrien.
  • The Torn Photograph — Evelyne says the photograph in her bag shows her father, whose funeral she has just attended.
  • The Abuse Revealed — Evelyne tells Adrien that her father abused her.
• A Temporary Reconciliation — The couple does not resolve its questions, but chooses to remain together for the night.
  • Evelyne Asks to Stay — Despite their hurt and arguments, Evelyne asks to stay with Adrien.
  • Questions Set Aside — They agree to defer their questions for the night.
• The Deal's Collapse — The business outcome turns against Adrien's efforts when German executives dismiss André.
  • André Is Dismissed — German executives dismiss André Lemoine.
  • The Contract Is Lost — The business deal collapses following André's dismissal.
• A Party Without Closure — Marie invites Evelyne to a gathering tied to André's firing, while the effects of the lost contract remain unresolved.
  • Marie Invites Evelyne — Marie invites Evelyne to the party.
  • André Laughs Along — The conversation suggests André knows about the celebration and laughs along.

Directed by

Gabriel Aghion

Key Cast

• Patrick Timsit — Adrien
• Fanny Ardant — Evelyne, dite Eva
• Richard Berry — Alexandre Hagutte
• Michèle Laroque — Marie Hagutte
• Jacques Gamblin — André Lemoine