by Alex Billington
May 19, 2026
There’s nothing wrong a good film offering an uncomplicated narrative look at how someone can get better from being unhealthy or being addicted to something harmful. Not every film needs to be overly complex and nuanced, sometimes a good story with some cliche scenes can actually have an impact. Some viewers need this. Maybe not you or I, but that doesn’t matter, because I can appreciate the film and how it works as a beneficial story anyway. That’s the case with this Cannes Competition premiere titled Garance, a French drama from filmmaker Jeanne Herry following the story of an alcoholic woman living in Paris who refuses to accept that she must stop drinking. The English title for it is Another Day – a more thematic reference. Whereas the original French title Garance is also the name of the main character so it doesn’t even need to be translated anyway. What I enjoy the most about Garance is the upbeat, energetic flow to the film, zipping from scene to scene like a dancer full of energy giving her most passionate performance. There’s some great music and an electro score to it that also keep it moving at a fast pace, which is important because it covers years of time in Garance’s life as she finally comes to understand her love of alcohol is a dangerous problem.
Garance is the fourth feature film so far directed by French filmmaker Jeanne Herry, who also wrote the screenplay. It also features a sexual awakening subplot as Garance, who has been sleeping with random guys most of her life, falls in love with a very sweet and caring woman named Pauline (played calmly & assuredly by Sara Giraudeau). However, the real core of the film is the powerful story of alcoholism and addiction and Garance’s abuse of alcohol and her inability to even attempt to clean herself up. The massively talented Adèle Exarchopoulos is superb as the titular Garance, in one of her best big screen performances since Blue is the Warmest Color. She’s expressive and emotional, but also entirely natural, possibly because she’s also playing an actress in the story. She’s a struggling actress trying to find work but also struggling because inbetween her acting gigs she is getting wasted almost every single night. Her life keeps flying by without anything ever getting better until she one day meets Pauline while exploring her sexual attraction to women. Pauline is loving and kind and caring, and so willing to love her even with her problems, that it is exactly the right support she needs to finally wake up to her unhealthy alcoholism. This is so beautiful to see, even if it is a tad cheesy and unrealistic; I’m glad they depict this relationship without extra drama thrown in. Having a loving partner does make all the difference in the world and it’s what many people truly need to get better.
Let’s be honest –quitting drinking isn’t easy! However, this film isn’t really trying to only depict how hard it is. It’s trying to tell a more uplifting story of this woman actually trying to do it by the end. I understand the criticisms it’ll receive about how the story plays out in the second half and that it’s not some kind of deeply complex experimental cinematic creation with bleakness and all that going on. It doesn’t need to do this to be effective and entertaining. It has to balance storytelling with encouragement, and also balance realism with some stylish cinematic vibes. I am impressed by how energetic and captivating it is to watch, and how much I enjoyed seeing Exarchopoulos in this role go through this experience. She’s so dynamic and distinct and we get to see all the different sides of her on display – from her acting work in kid’s shows to her happy nights getting drunk to her sad & sick moments hungover the next morning. I really vibed with the score, editing choices, and the spunky honesty it wants to capture in following Garance. I believe it’s much more meaningful in its uplifting & positive intent and it might seriously help people more this way. It’s a lesson for anyone addicted to anything harmful that with the right love, the right support, the right outlook at how life is worth living on this planet, you can get better and feel better. And you are not alone taking that path.
Alex’s Cannes 2026 Rating: 8 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing
