 Marie Louise's growing attraction towards Armand is tempered by her discoveries about his reputation, while Armand's calculated strategy becomes undermined by his genuine emotions.A subplot follows the parallel but simpler courtship of Armand's friend and fellow officer Félix and Lucie, the young daughter of a photographer.In René Clair's own words, "Love is the only concern of "Les Grandes Manœuvres"", and he added that the film was one of the countless variations to be made on the inexhaustible theme of Don Juan.