Character Relationship Map: Une époque formidable

Characters

• Michel Berthier (played by Gérard Jugnot) — protagonist

  Michel Berthier is a senior executive at a mattress manufacturing company who is fired and hides the truth from Juliette Berthier. He borrows money and buys gifts to preserve his family’s lifestyle, t...

• 'Toubib' (played by Richard Bohringer) — protagonist

  'Toubib' is one of three homeless people Michel Berthier meets while washing in the restrooms at the Gare de l’Est. Alongside Mimosa and Crayon, Toubib takes Michel under their wing after he loses his...

• Juliette Berthier (played by Victoria Abril) — supporting

  Juliette Berthier is Michel Berthier’s partner and the person from whom he hides his dismissal. Because Michel does not dare tell her that he has lost his job, he goes into debt and showers the family...

• 'Crayon' (played by Ticky Holgado) — supporting

  'Crayon' is one of the three homeless people encountered by Michel Berthier at the Gare de l’Est, together with Toubib and Mimosa. Crayon joins the others in taking Michel under their wing after his f...

• 'Mimosa' (played by Chick Ortega) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

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

• Michel Berthier → Juliette Berthier (Romantic Partner) — Michel conceals his job loss from Juliette while trying to maintain the family's standard of living.

  The plot identifies Juliette as Michel's partner and says he hides his dismissal from her.

Story Dynamics

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

• 'Crayon' → 'Mimosa' (Alliance Teammate) — They belong to the same group that helps Michel after he loses his possessions.

  Crayon and Mimosa are both identified as members of the three-person homeless group that takes Michel under its wing.

• 'Toubib' → 'Mimosa' (Alliance Teammate) — They act as members of the same group supporting Michel.

  Toubib and Mimosa are both identified as members of the group of three homeless people who take Michel under their wing.

• 'Toubib' → 'Crayon' (Alliance Teammate) — They are members of the same group that helps Michel and undertakes the break-in.

  Toubib and Crayon are both named among the three homeless people who take Michel under their wing and lead him to the former company.

• Michel Berthier → 'Mimosa' (Alliance Ally) — Mimosa is part of the group that takes Michel in after his financial collapse.

  Mimosa is one of the three homeless people Michel meets at the Gare de l'Est; the group takes him under their wing and leads him to his former company...

• Michel Berthier → 'Crayon' (Alliance Ally) — Crayon joins the group that supports Michel and seeks sleeping bags and beds at his former workplace.

  Crayon is among the homeless people who take Michel under their wing and guide him toward breaking into his former company.

• Michel Berthier → 'Toubib' (Alliance Ally) — Toubib helps Michel after he becomes homeless and joins him in obtaining sleeping bags and beds.

  After Michel loses his money, car, and shoes, Toubib takes him under his wing and helps lead him into Michel's former company.

Story Analysis

After losing his job, Michel's concealment and financial decline lead him away from home and into the company of three homeless people.

Plot Progression

1. Dismissal Kept Secret — Michel is fired from his executive job at a mattress company. He hides this from Juliette rather than telling her the truth.
2. A Lifestyle on Credit — Michel borrows money and showers his family with gifts to preserve their standard of living. His effort to maintain appearances depends on continuing to conceal his job loss.
3. Leaving Home With Nothing — Michel can no longer keep lying and decides to leave home. He subsequently loses his money, car, and shoes.
4. A New Group Takes Him In — At the Gare de l'Est, Michel meets Toubib, Mimosa, and Crayon, who wash in the station restrooms. They take him under their wing after his losses.
5. Back to the Mattress Company — The three homeless people lead Michel into his former company. Their aim is to obtain sleeping bags and beds.