Late August, Early September 1999

Adrien, portrayed by François Cluzet, is a tough-loving writer who has achieved only modest commercial success despite being a bestselling author. Faced with the harsh reality of his impending demise, he confides in his friend Gabriel, played by Mathieu Amalric, with whom he shares a tumultuous bond. As Gabriel grapples with his own complex romantic entanglements—balancing feelings for his reliable ex-girlfriend, Jenny, performed by Jeanne Balibar, and his unpredictable new love, Anne, depicted by Virginie Ledoyen—he strives to support Adrien through this challenging time. Unlike Adrien, the hesitant Gabriel is less of a risk-taker; his career as an editor for a publishing house ensures stability, editing encyclopedias rather than chasing dreams.

Meanwhile, Adrien immerses himself in creating what may be his magnum opus, while quietly nurturing a budding relationship with a curious student, Véra. The ensemble, alongside Adrien’s other friends, wrestles with the unsettling implications of their friend’s life-altering news, leading them to a profound realization: true passion entails essential friction, and that compassion—etymologically composed of “com,” meaning “all” or “together,” combined with “passion”—can indeed be the sweetest form of pleasure.