Remorques (Stormy Waters) (1941)

In "Remorques," the crew of the tugboat Cyclone is enjoying a rare day off at the wedding between one of their crew members, Poubennec(Marcel Duhamel), and Marie(Anne Laurens). But then the wind turns, and the crew led by Captain Laurent(Jean Gabin) rushes back into action at the beck and call of a distress call, leaving the new bride to be comforted by Laurent's wife, Yvonne(Madeleine Renaud). However, the captain(Jean Marchat) of the stranded vessel is suddenly in no hurry, nor are some of his men. By comparison, his wife Catherine(Michele Morgan) has had more than enough and wants out. "Remorques" is an emotionally complex melodrama with more than one point of view that even with the admittedly primitive model work works best when the story is on the high seas. The same can also be said for Laurent as he has not only found a job where he can make a difference, it is also one that he loves. On the other hand, he is also weighed down by his share of responsibilities(he calls himself an 'office boy of catastrophes') and it is a good thing nobody has kids or it would be even worse. But you cannot blame his wife for worrying about what happens in his extremely dangerous job and wants him to quit. As he says, what is he supposed to do, knit? But then why does she have be the one to knit?