La fin du jour

Main Plot

"La fin du jour," directed by Julien Duvivier, is a poignant drama set in a retirement home for aging actors. The film explores the lives of its residents, who grapple with the fading glories of their past careers and the harsh realities of their present circumstances. The story delves into themes of pride, jealousy, and camaraderie as these once-celebrated performers confront their own obsolescence. The arrival of a new resident, a once-famous actor, stirs up old rivalries and rekindles memories of past triumphs and failures. Through a series of interactions and conflicts, the film paints a bittersweet portrait of aging, the passage of time, and the enduring human spirit.

Characters

• Victor Francen plays Marny, a retired actor struggling with his fading fame and grappling with the realities of aging in a home for elderly performers.
• Michel Simon plays Cabrissade, an aging actor whose struggles with fading fame and financial instability highlight the challenges faced by retired performers in the story.
• Louis Jouvet plays Marny, a once-famous actor struggling with obscurity and financial hardship, reflecting on his past while residing in a retirement home for aging performers.

Ending Explained

'La fin du jour,' directed by Julien Duvivier, concludes with a poignant and melancholic resolution that encapsulates the themes of aging and obsolescence. The film centers on a retirement home for aging actors, where the residents grapple with their faded glory and the harsh realities of their twilight years. The climax builds as the home's financial troubles threaten its closure, leaving the elderly actors facing an uncertain future. In the final scenes, the character of Cabrissade, who has always been relegated to minor roles and never achieved stardom, attempts a dramatic gesture by staging his own death. This act is intended to draw attention and perhaps save the home, but it ultimately underscores his lifelong struggle for recognition. Meanwhile, the once-celebrated actor Saint-Clair, who has been battling his own demons and regrets, finds a moment of reconciliation and acceptance. The film ends on a somber note, with the residents coming to terms with their pasts and the inevitable passage of time. The conclusion is a reflection on the ephemeral nature of fame and the enduring need for dignity and companionship in one's final days.