The Missing Half

Benoit Mariage’s psychological drama L’autre (The Missing Half) concerns a pregnant woman whose marriage falls apart. The film opens with Claire (Dominique Baeyens) learning that she is expecting twins. Her husband Pierre (Philippe Grand’Henry), a successful optometrist, is thrilled by the news and begins planning accordingly. Claire becomes overwhelmed and decides to abort one of the embryos. Although Pierre is supportive of her decision, he leaves her after the procedure. Claire befriends Laurent (Laurent Kuenhen), one of Pierre’s patients. Laurent lives in a home for the mentally challenged. Claire works through her depression and isolation with the help of Laurent, and her taking on the responsibility of directing him and his fellow patients in a Christmas play.