Throughout the film, the husband indicates that he is unhappy and frustrated, due to a career disappointment and unmet expectations about his family. After the party ends, he erupts at his wife and hits her. His behavior fits the classic abuse syndrome: first he hits, then he apologizes and says he'll never do it again, but obviously he has done it many times before. At the end of the film, the viewer cannot reach any conclusions regarding the outcome to this incident.