The American (1998)

Plot

After the devastation of the Civil War, the naive Christopher Newman finds success and heads to France, eager to immerse himself in its cultural riches. However, he quickly becomes ensnared in the vibrant Parisian nightlife. An affair with a proud painter leads him to fall for the daughter of the late marquis de Bellegarde, a woman scarred by her abusive marriage. While her older brother aligns with their cold mother, the younger Valentin, captivated by the artist, forms an alliance with Christopher, complicating their intertwined destinies amidst societal expectations and personal struggles.