The Fire Within

Alain Leroy has been living at Dr. La Barbinais' rehabilitation clinic in Versailles for four months, focusing on his alcoholism and withdrawal from his old life. The clinic provides a structured routine as he reads, reflects, and avoids relapse. His wife Dorothy remains in New York, continuing their separation.

Alain leaves the clinic to spend his first night away, pursuing a tryst with Lydia, Dorothy's friend visiting from New York. Lydia suggests he should return to New York with her, claiming he is cured. They part ways when Lydia cannot stay due to work obligations.

Lydia insists that Alain is cured and should come back to New York with her. Alain remains hesitant, warning that leaving the clinic could lead to relapse. The two part ways as Lydia's obligations prevent an extended stay.

Back at the clinic, Dr. La Barbinais is pleased Alain spent time with a woman and believes he has been sober for some time. He encourages Alain to consider reconciling with Dorothy and moving forward with life. Before going to sleep, Alain declares he will be gone by the end of the week and pledges to kill himself the next day.

In the morning, Alain hitches a ride to Paris and cashes a check Lydia gave him, claiming it to repay an old gambling debt. He spends the day reconnecting with old friends, seeking a sense of belonging he lacks in the clinic. The day marks a deliberate return to his past life.

Dubourg, Alain's former drinking buddy, has settled into a comfortable life with his wife Fanny and their two daughters. He tries to impress upon Alain the virtues of his predictable, adult existence and invites him to move in with him. Alain declines, saying he does not want to grow old.

Alain meets Eva and they remark on how all their friends have changed. He is repelled by the detachment and drug-using circle that now surrounds her and decides to leave. The encounter emphasizes his alienation from his peer group.

He encounters the Minville brothers, who remain fighters for Algerian independence, at Café Flore. After they depart, Alain drinks an alcoholic beverage left on the table and soon feels sick. He then heads to Cyrille and Solange Lavauds' house early to nap before a party.

During a fancy dinner, Brancion dismisses Cyrille's tale of Alain's drunken escapades. Cyrille offers Alain another drink, and Alain rails about his inability to want or desire anything. He pleads with Solange to save him, but she gently rebuffs him.

Milou, a young partier, leaves the Lavauds' party with Alain. They ride the bus and walk the city at night, and Alain confesses that his reputation as a ladies' man was undeserved and that he has always wanted to love and be loved.

Alain wakes up back in his room at the clinic. Solange calls to remind him to come over for lunch, and he promises he will be there. The mundane routine underscores his struggle to connect with meaningful relationships.

Solange attempts to reach out with kind words, but Alain tells her he does not understand and ends the call by hanging up. The exchange highlights his emotional distance and inability to accept compassion.

After finishing The Great Gatsby, Alain shoots himself in the heart, ending his struggle with addiction and longing. The act occurs in his room at the Versailles clinic, leaving a silent void where his questions once lived. The film closes on the stark consequences of his despair.