Delcroix is a weak-willed young man who became a judge without really thinking about it. Appointed to Caen for his first post, he meets Mariette and sets up housekeeping with her. Work and peaceful evenings – life in the provinces is routine. But May ‘68 is nearly there, and revolution is in the air. One morning, a young woman, Elvire, is brought to the judge’s chambers for her involvement in a hold-up. Despite the handcuffs restraining her, she radiates an insolent air of freedom. The judge is subjugated. He begins to see everything differently. Mariette can’t do a thing about it. Delcroix even goes so far as to visit Elvire in prison. The meeting ends with a kiss. And Delcroix’s immediate transfer.
In Paris, Delcroix will gradually forget, and redeem himself. He meets Laure, whom he marries. They have a son. The years go by happily, until one day in May ’81 when Delcroix thinks he sees Elvire in the street. She must be out of prison by now. She must be free. The judge begins an investigation right away, and, by chance, finds Elvire once again. Thus begins his double life. Not wishing to leave his wife, wanting to enjoy every moment with Elvire, Delcroix will lose everything one morning, because of one last kiss.
Just as there are fake detective stories, there can be fake love stories, too. Accursed Kisses is essentially about faith, free will and commitment. Delcroix, a worthy representative of our times, has doubts about: the self and the other, God, family, politics, power, money, and of course, love. With humor and finesse, Eric Halphen shows what the most extreme skepticism and the absence of desires and dreams can lead to: a wasted, empty life.

In brief
The meandering life of young Delcroix, a judge appointed to Caen then transferred to Paris. The portrait of an era – from May ‘68 to May ‘81. The path of a young man of his time: a time of lost illusions, of doubt and individualism. End result: the tale of a life. Neither good, nor bad, but very convincing… As one of the characters says, “We’ll do better next time.”