In a small village in rural France, Gabrielle (Oscar winner Marion Cotillard) dreams of a more passionate life, much to her family's chagrin. With the intent of making her into a respectable woman, they marry her off to honest farmer Jose (Alex Brendemühl). Once married Gabrielle develops an illness and is sent to the Alps for treatment. There she meets a dashing injured veteran of the Indochina War (Louis Garrel). The affair rekindles the passion buried deep inside her. With this newfound love, she is determined to run away and free herself from the marriage that imprisons her. This time she's determined to follow her dream.