La bohème (1988)

It is late afternoon on a bleak Christmas Eve.

Marcello and Rudolfo try to work in their freezing attic; in a fruitless effort at warmth, Rudolpho burns the manuscript of a play he has written, page by page. Colline joins them and later Schaunard, who has had better luck with employment and brings with him money, food, wine, and firewood. Their celebration is interrupted by Benoit, demanding the rent, but he is quickly intimidated into leaving with- out it. They decide to repair to the Cafe Momus and Rudolpho promises to join them later. His work is interrupted by their neighbor, Mimi, who needs a light for her candle. Aided by a lost key and a draft that blows out her candle again, they surrender to an instant mutual attraction.

The world is celebrating Christmas Eve in the streets of Montmartre.

Rudolpho buys Mimi a new bonnet and introduces her to his friends at the Cafe Momus. Musetta, Marcello’s one-time girl friend, sweeps in with her current admirer, a rich and distinguished old councilor, Alcindoro. Marcello pre- tends not to notice her, which infuriates Musetta, who tries to attract his attention with a song. Everyone else’s attention is attracted, to Alcindoro’s embarrassment. To get rid of him Musetta sends him off to get her shoe repaired. Marcello is delighted by this ruse and the two are finally reunited. Just as Alcindoro returns, the others disappear to join a midnight celebration in the streets, leaving the old man to pay their bill.

Jealousy has separated Rudolpho and Mimi.

At dawn Mimi comes to the inn where Musetta and Marcello pursue their tempestuous affair; she tells Marcello of Rudolpho’s obsessive jealousy and that he has left her. As Rudolpho himself comes out of the inn, she hides and overhears their discussion. Rudolpho tells Marcello that Mimi is dying of consumption and that they must separate as her health can only deteriorate further in the poverty in which they are forced to live. He also accuses her of being false and fickle-hearted. Mimi’s coughing and weeping betray her presence, and Rudolpho hastens to console her. They remember happier days and vow, after all, to stay together- at least until the spring. Marcello and Musetta end their relationship with
a quarrel.

Months later, Marcello and Rudolpho are trying to work, but without success; both men are distracted by the absence of their loved ones. Colline and Schaunard try to cheer them up but Musetta arrives with the news that Mimi has collapsed on the landing and is dangerously ill. She is brought inside and everyone but Rudolpho leaves to find medicines and other things to comfort her. When they return, she is slam and appears to fall asleep. Her friends soon realize that she has died.