The Fire Within

THE FIRE WITHIN is a drama about a former alcoholic, who is at the crossroads between life and death in a state of a deep depression. It is based on the novel "Will O' the Wisp" by Pierre Drieu La Rochelle.

Alain, a recovering alcoholic at a rehabilitation clinic in Versailles suffers with a depression. He often thinks about suicide, but still tries to find some valid reasons for living. He is in complete contrast with a behavior of his friends, which further enhances his internal conflict...

Mr. Malle gently touches sore points of a depressed man. His hero is empty and defeated man, who is trapped between a drunken past and an uncertain future. Many of the protagonists, who are full of compassion and love, going through his frustrating life. He's a lost soul, who can not let go of his depressive everyday life. However, a man, without an imagination and love, must find his own peace and certainty. A recovery from alcohol is an ironic view of a collapsed life.

Regardless of a state of his mind and heart, his tragic appearance is not quite clear. This is a kind of flaw of this film, because the main protagonist has condemned himself to a tragic end, before he has considered any options. An authentic scenery emphasizes his escape from any opportunities in life.

Maurice Ronet as Alain Leroy has offered a convincing performance. He is a lonely man who helplessly wanders...search, and then run away from love and certainty.

Life is a kind of agony in this case.