Simon Langton is faithful to Zola’s diabolical picnic episode in Thérèse Raquin. He’s faithful, also, to Zola’s concept of “brute humaines,” people inherently prone to instability, vulgarity, alcoholism, or physical brutality. Not content to enjoy an adulterous relationship, Thérèse and her lover, Laurent, plot her husband Camille’s death. Once underway, the underlying elemental character of Therese and Laurent degrades their humanity, leaving bare their bestiality.
It’s a bizarre episode and the tipping point of a picnic at which Camille is murdered. Though Thérèse, Camille, and Laurent intend to dine at a local restaurant on the river, the day proceeds otherwise. Because the day is warm, Camille falls asleep. Therese and Laurent, however, are alert to an unspoken agreement to murder Camille when the opportunity arises. When Laurent mimics crushing Camille’s head, Therese does not assent.
Waiting for a table at the local restaurant, the three take a rowboat. Knowing that Camille cannot swim, Laurent waits until their boat is alone on the river, and then, with maniacal determination, grabs Camille and hurls him into the water. As he does so, Camille bites a chunk of flesh from his neck. (A permanent scar and reminder of his perversity.) Once in the water, Camille struggles and drowns. Carried away by the current, he disappears without a trace. Therese swoons. And Laurent tips the boat to make Camille’s drowning seem an accident.
Holding on to the unconscious Thérèse in his arms and treading water, Laurent calls for help.
See: Simon Langton. Thérèse Raquin (1979). The screenplay by Philip Mackie is based on Emile Zola’s 1867 novel; Emile Zola. Thérèse Raquin. Translated by Edward Vizetelly. London: Vizetelly and Company, 1867
Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU2fFB7UGK8 Time:43:48
The Cast: Brian Cox as Laurent, Kate Nelligan as Thérèse Raquin, and Kenneth Cranham as Camille