The Woman Next Door is a French film directed by Francois Truffaut. It tells a tragic love story between Bernard Coudray (played by Gerard Depardieu) and Mathilde Bauchard (played by Fanny Ardant). Bernard is a happily married man with a young son, living in a small town in France. One day, a couple, Philippe and Mathilde Bauchard, moves in next door to Bernard's house. To his surprise, he discovers that Mathilde is his former lover, with whom he had a fiery and passionate affair years ago.
The accidental reunion of Bernard and Mathilde sparks a desire that has been dormant for years. Despite their respective marriages, they become consumed by their old flame. Mathilde tries to resist the temptation, but Bernard is relentless in his pursuit. They both become obsessed with each other and their forbidden love affair begins to take its toll on their families and their mental health.
The film explores the destructive power of past relationships, the intense passion that human beings are capable of experiencing, and the inner conflicts that arise when people are forced to choose between love and loyalty. The Woman Next Door offers a somber and complex study of human feelings, with superb direction and outstanding performances from Depardieu and Ardant.