Lovers Like Us (1975) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A runaway engagement leads two isolated people through pursuit, conflict, separation, and a final reunion.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Escape from Caracas

Nelly breaks away from her engagement and escapes through Caracas after Vittori invades her hotel room. She steals a Toulouse-Lautrec painting while trying to obtain money for a journey to Paris.

Key Events

• Engagement in Caracas — Nelly becomes engaged to the overbearing and hot-tempered Vittori. Characters: Nelly, Vittori Location: Caracas
• Nelly Runs Away — Nelly changes her mind and flees in the middle of the night. Characters: Nelly Location: Caracas
• Hotel Room Intrusion — Vittori enters through Martin's adjoining room and jumps onto Nelly's balcony. Characters: Nelly, Vittori, Martin Location: Hotel
• Vittori Is Knocked Out — Nelly knocks Vittori unconscious during the altercation as Martin arrives. Characters: Nelly, Vittori, Martin Location: Hotel Room
• Flight in Vittori's Car — Nelly flees the hotel in Vittori's car. Characters: Nelly Location: Caracas Streets
• Money at the Nightclub — Nelly seeks unpaid money from her former employer but receives nothing. Characters: Nelly Location: Nightclub

The Vanishing Passenger

Martin helps Nelly reach the airport, but Vittori's pursuit continues. Nelly disappears before boarding and secretly redirects her journey toward Martin's Caribbean island.

Key Events

• Money at the Nightclub — Nelly seeks unpaid money from her former employer but receives nothing. Characters: Nelly Location: Nightclub
• Painting Theft — During Vittori's commotion, Nelly steals a Toulouse-Lautrec painting. Characters: Nelly, Vittori Location: Nightclub
• Failed Sale to Martin — Nelly unsuccessfully tries to sell the stolen painting to Martin. Characters: Nelly, Martin Location: Hotel
• Ride to the Airport — Martin offers to drive Nelly to an airport where she may obtain a ticket. Characters: Nelly, Martin Location: Road to the Airport
• Airport Pursuit — Vittori and Nelly's former employer arrive as Nelly's plane takes off. Characters: Nelly, Martin, Vittori Location: Airport
• Nelly Was Not Aboard — Vittori learns from a nephew that Nelly was not on the plane. Characters: Vittori Location: Paris

Island of Arguments

Nelly arrives on Martin's island and asks him to help sell the painting. Their arguments intensify after she sabotages the boat, yet their hostility changes into physical intimacy.

Key Events

• Return to the Island — Martin returns by boat to his solitary life on the island. Characters: Martin Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• Nelly Reappears — Nelly reveals that customs stopped her, so she sold her ticket for a seaplane. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• Boat Sabotage — Nelly sabotages the boat when Martin tries to take her back to Caracas. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Caribbean Waters
• A Violent Argument — After the boat sinks, Martin becomes enraged and hits Nelly. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Caribbean Desert Island

Love and Rejection

Martin explains the abandoned professional life behind his isolation while building a raft. Nelly asks to remain with him, but his rejection leaves her heartbroken.

Key Events

• Martin's Former Life — Martin reveals his former career as a successful New York perfumer and his abandoned marriage. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• A Rejected Declaration — Nelly wants to stay, but Martin rejects her and she retreats to a shack. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• Photographs Reach New York — Miss Mark presents photographs documenting Martin's island life. Characters: Miss Mark, Martin Location: New York Fragrance Company

Fire and Return

Vittori's men attack the island, Nelly is taken away, and Martin's house burns. After rescue, imprisonment, and new discoveries, Martin finds Nelly in France and reunites with her.

Key Events

• Island Capture — Vittori's men capture Martin and Nelly; Martin fights back while Vittori takes Nelly away. Characters: Martin, Nelly, Vittori Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• House Fire — A knocked-over stove causes Martin's house to catch fire. Characters: Martin, Nelly, Vittori Location: Martin's Island House
• Miss Mark Finds Martin — Miss Mark spots Martin unconscious from the air and arranges his rescue. Characters: Miss Mark, Martin Location: Caribbean Desert Island
• Contract Ultimatum — Martin refuses the company's demand to fulfill his remaining contract and goes to prison. Characters: Martin Location: New York
• Nelly's Letter — Martin learns that Nelly divorced Vittori and left him a letter at their first hotel. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Hotel
• Reunion in France — Martin finds Nelly restoring an old farmhouse, and they reunite. Characters: Martin, Nelly Location: Saint-Laurent-des-Bois

Story Breakdown

• Broken Engagement — Nelly rejects the controlling relationship that has defined her immediate future.
  • Caracas Engagement — Nelly is engaged to the overbearing Vittori in Caracas.
  • Midnight Escape — Nelly leaves suddenly and hides in a hotel.
• Hotel Collision — Vittori's pursuit brings Nelly and Martin into an abrupt and dangerous encounter.
  • Balcony Intrusion — Vittori enters through Martin's adjoining hotel room.
  • Car Theft — Nelly knocks Vittori unconscious and escapes in his car.
• Stolen Painting — Nelly seeks money and turns to theft when her former employer cannot pay her.
  • Nightclub Commotion — Vittori causes a disturbance at the nightclub.
  • Toulouse-Lautrec — Nelly steals a painting and unsuccessfully offers it to Martin.
• Airport Deception — Martin assists Nelly's attempted departure while Vittori continues the chase.
  • Roadside Alliance — Martin drives Nelly toward the airport.
  • Missed Departure — The pursuers arrive as the plane leaves, but Nelly is not aboard.
• Island Entanglement — Nelly redirects her escape to Martin's isolated Caribbean home.
  • Seaplane Arrival — Nelly reaches the island after customs threatens the painting.
  • Sinking Boat — Nelly sabotages the boat when Martin tries to take her back.
• Uneasy Intimacy — Arguments and shared hardship gradually become an intimate but unstable bond.
  • Former Perfumer — Martin reveals the career and marriage he abandoned.
  • Rejected Stay — Martin rejects Nelly's wish to remain with him.
• Island Assault — The external pursuit reaches the island and destroys Martin's fragile refuge.
  • Captured Together — Vittori's men seize Martin and Nelly during their argument.
  • Burning House — Martin is injured and his house catches fire.
• Consequences and Return — Martin faces the consequences of his abandoned career before searching for Nelly.
  • Corporate Ultimatum — Martin refuses to resume his contract and spends time in prison.
  • French Reunion — Martin finds Nelly restoring a farmhouse and reunites with her.

Directed by

Jean-Paul Rappeneau

Key Cast

• Yves Montand — Martin
• Catherine Deneuve — Nelly
• Luigi Vannucchi — Vittori
• Tony Roberts — Alex Fox
• Bobo Lewis — Miss Mark