Marvelous Mornings (2026)
American writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh once wrote, "Grief can't be shared. Everyone carries it alone, his own burden in his own way". Screening as part of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Avril Besson's Marvelous Mornings opens with Charlie (India Hair) dealing with the aftermath of her grandmother's funeral. Charlie was incredibly close to her grandmother and feels both isolated and suffocated in her grief. Charlie pulls over for a bite to eat at a random bar, and meets a bartender named Marina (Raya Martigny). Marina talks to Charlie, offering conversation, drinks, and whatever she can make in the already closed bar kitchen. When closing time comes, Marina offers for Charlie to spend the night at her house rather than her having to sleep in her car to sober up. Rather than leaving in the morning, Charlie stays with Marina, forming an intimate bond when Charlie needs one the most.
The sense of connection and support within Marvelous Mornings is infectious. Everyone has had a time in their life where they felt alone in their suffering. Whether from external or internal forces, this pain is raw and brutal. Marvelous Mornings shows the power of having a support system that will meet you where you are, validating one's pain while offering a chance for even a brief escape. Hair does a fantastic job at the emotional regulation of her character, never feeling forced or obvious in her expression. While Charlie is not ok, she is doing her best to keep everything in from spilling out. Because of this, Hair has to be cautious and exact in her displays of emotions, feeling both realistic to the character while also adequately expressing herself to the audience, a challenging goal she accomplishes flawlessly. Martigny is also strong, giving Hair an emotional buffer to play off of, empowering the character and bringing their own vulnerability to the screen. Working primarily as a model, Martigny has limited theatrical credits to her name, but shows no lack of ability.
The world they inhabit feels lived in. From the intimate shared space of an apartment to a loud club where individuals are allowed to purge themselves of whatever they are holding inside, the film's cinematography by Julia Mingo and the film's editing by Besson work in tandem to feel atmospheric and welcoming. It is hard not to get lost both in these locations and in the relationship that grows between Charlie and Marina. Their chemistry is instant, and their relationship grows in a way that feels natural. You can feel the bond they have, and everything they share together feels genuine. This connection is the ultimate soul of the film, and perfectly lands.
As a piece of LGBTQ+ representation, the film is also quite refreshing. Rather than explicitly crafting a narrative that makes constant mention of the identities on screen, the film simply allows these individuals to breathe and live as fully fleshed-out humans, casually accepting who they are in a way that never feels ignorant. From the sapphic relationship shared between the pair to Marina's identity as a trans woman, the film isn't afraid to have a dialogue where it fits, but also doesn't feel burdened to only be tied to these identities. The story of Marvelous Mornings and the relationship between Charlie and Marina speaks to universal truths that apply to everyone, and the film celebrates that.
Marvelous Mornings is a beautiful film. While there are emotions of grief and depression throughout the film, the heart of the project is far warmer. Focusing on the power of connection and love, it is impossible not to get a warm feeling in your gut as you watch the film.
The sense of connection and support within Marvelous Mornings is infectious. Everyone has had a time in their life where they felt alone in their suffering. Whether from external or internal forces, this pain is raw and brutal. Marvelous Mornings shows the power of having a support system that will meet you where you are, validating one's pain while offering a chance for even a brief escape. Hair does a fantastic job at the emotional regulation of her character, never feeling forced or obvious in her expression. While Charlie is not ok, she is doing her best to keep everything in from spilling out. Because of this, Hair has to be cautious and exact in her displays of emotions, feeling both realistic to the character while also adequately expressing herself to the audience, a challenging goal she accomplishes flawlessly. Martigny is also strong, giving Hair an emotional buffer to play off of, empowering the character and bringing their own vulnerability to the screen. Working primarily as a model, Martigny has limited theatrical credits to her name, but shows no lack of ability.
The world they inhabit feels lived in. From the intimate shared space of an apartment to a loud club where individuals are allowed to purge themselves of whatever they are holding inside, the film's cinematography by Julia Mingo and the film's editing by Besson work in tandem to feel atmospheric and welcoming. It is hard not to get lost both in these locations and in the relationship that grows between Charlie and Marina. Their chemistry is instant, and their relationship grows in a way that feels natural. You can feel the bond they have, and everything they share together feels genuine. This connection is the ultimate soul of the film, and perfectly lands.
As a piece of LGBTQ+ representation, the film is also quite refreshing. Rather than explicitly crafting a narrative that makes constant mention of the identities on screen, the film simply allows these individuals to breathe and live as fully fleshed-out humans, casually accepting who they are in a way that never feels ignorant. From the sapphic relationship shared between the pair to Marina's identity as a trans woman, the film isn't afraid to have a dialogue where it fits, but also doesn't feel burdened to only be tied to these identities. The story of Marvelous Mornings and the relationship between Charlie and Marina speaks to universal truths that apply to everyone, and the film celebrates that.
Marvelous Mornings is a beautiful film. While there are emotions of grief and depression throughout the film, the heart of the project is far warmer. Focusing on the power of connection and love, it is impossible not to get a warm feeling in your gut as you watch the film.