Paulette Van der Beck (Juliette Binoche) is the headmistress of Van der Beck's School of Housekeeping and Good Manners, an institution that teaches young girls the how-tos of traditional wifedom. Though business hasn't been the best, she continues to soldier on, until it is revealed that her husband Robert (Fran?ois Berl?and) has pushed the school to the brink of bankruptcy. In an attempt to salvage what's left, she goes to Andr? (Edouard Baer) for advice, a handsome banker who was once her admirer. Directed by Martin Provost.