The Fire Within

A former alcoholic undergoing treatment in Versailles, Alain oscillates between moments of clarity and relapses. He is introspective, self-critical, and haunted by the emptiness of his relationships, especially the distance from Dorothy. His fear of aging and desire for authentic love propel his volatile decisions.

A former lover who now inhabits a circle of drug-using friends. She is perceptive about Alain's fragility but emotionally distant, reflecting a world where affection is transient and connections are conditional.

A former lover of Alain who offers a gentle rebuff when he seeks rescue. She embodies grace and restraint, illustrating the limits of care within the social circles they inhabit.

A host of social gatherings who welcomes Alain yet participates in the night’s banter. He represents a cultivated, intellectual milieu that both entertains and unsettles Alain.

One of the Minville brothers; a figure of the postwar Paris scene who shares Alain’s exposure to drinking and youthful rebellion. He embodies a stubborn stance toward change amid lingering conflicts.

The other Minville brother, coexisting with the same hedonistic milieu. His presence contrasts with Alain's deeper existential crisis, underscoring a spectrum of disillusionment within the group.

An intellectual guest who challenges a story told by Cyrille, highlighting the tensions between storytelling, credibility, and the group’s self-image. His viewpoint punctures some pretensions at the dinner.

A young man living a lifestyle of drinking and partying, mirroring Alain’s past. Milou serves as a mirror for Alain’s former self and a reminder of a path he fears re-entering.

The clinic’s pragmatic physician who encourages Alain toward sobriety and a forward path. He provides a stabilizing presence, though he can’t fully reach the deeper needs behind Alain’s crisis.

A former drinking buddy turned suburban family man who embodies the predictable, adult life Alain resists. His life contrasts with the chaos Alain seeks to escape.

Dorothy’s friend who accompanies Alain briefly for a tryst, offering a momentary escape from his reality. Her presence underscores Alain’s susceptibility to temptation.

Dubourg’s wife who appears in the social circuit and represents another facet of bourgeois life that Alain observes and questions.