Trouble Every Day

Trouble Every Day is a 2001 French-Belgian drama-horror film directed by Claire Denis. The movie takes place in modern-day Paris, where we meet newlywed couple, Shane (Vincent Gallo) and June (Tricia Vessey). Shane, an American, and June, who is of European descent, have recently gotten married and have arrived in Paris for their honeymoon. However, their romantic getaway is marked by tension and unspoken resentment, both for each other and for the city itself. The story delves deeper into Shane's struggles with an inexplicable, bloodthirsty disease that threatens to destroy him from within. His physical and emotional state is in a constant state of deterioration, as he grapples with feelings of alienation, disconnection, and fear. His condition seems to worsen, manifesting itself through increasingly violent episodes, leaving him on the edge of sanity. As Shane's condition worsens, he finds himself increasingly isolated and detached from the world around him, including his wife. June tries her best to care for him, but her efforts are met with frustration and desperation. Their relationship, once full of hope and promise, begins to fray at the seams as Shane's behavior becomes more erratic and unpredictable. In a desperate bid to find a cure for his affliction, Shane becomes obsessed with the story of Dr. Delaplanche, a scientist who has allegedly discovered the secret to reversing the effects of his disease. Shane's search takes him to the outskirts of the city, where he discovers that Delaplanche is actually Dr. Georgette's (Beatrice Dalle) partner. Georgette is a former anesthesiologist turned patient, plagued by a strange and inexplicable condition that causes her to crave human flesh. Georgette's story serves as a dark mirror to Shane's condition, as the two protagonists struggle with their own private hell. Her relationship with Delaplanche, who tries to understand and help her, serves as a poignant contrast to Shane and June's disintegrating relationship. While Delaplanche and Georgette form a strange and compassionate bond, Shane and June's marriage is rapidly unraveling. The narrative slowly unravels, exposing the complexities and the darker aspects of human nature. The once-hopeful honeymoon turns into a descent into the abyss, a confrontation with the depths of human depravity. Through Shane's struggles, the film explores the disintegration of identity, the breakdown of relationships, and the disintegration of hope in the face of adversity. As the story progresses, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, heightening the sense of unease and dread. The city of Paris, once a symbol of romance and passion, becomes a cold and unforgiving backdrop for Shane's descent into madness. Georgette's character also serves as a metaphor for the breakdown of societal norms and expectations, highlighting the inherent flaws in human nature. The film culminates in a dramatic and unsettling conclusion, as Shane's condition reaches a critical point, and his marriage to June reaches its breaking point. The film ends with a haunting and thought-provoking sequence, where the truth behind Georgette and Delaplanche's relationship is revealed, casting a dark light on the world around us. Through its exploration of a dark and unsettling subject matter, Trouble Every Day delivers a compelling and unsettling narrative that forces the viewer to confront the darker aspects of human nature. With its exploration of relationship dynamics, societal norms, and the breakdown of identity, Claire Denis' film offers a haunting and unflinching look at the world, and our place in it.