Character Relationship Map: The Eighth Day

Characters

• Harry (played by Daniel Auteuil) — protagonist

  Harry is a divorced businessman who feels alienated from his children. After nearly running over Georges, who has escaped from an institution, Harry becomes connected to him through their chance meeti...

• Georges (played by Pascal Duquenne) — protagonist

  Georges is an institutionalised man with Down syndrome who escapes from his mental institution and is nearly hit by Harry. Their chance encounter develops into a friendship that drives the story. Geor...

• Julie (played by Miou-Miou) — supporting
• Alice (played by Alice van Dormael) — supporting
• Georges' Mother (played by Isabelle Sadoyan) — supporting
• Nathalie's mother (played by Monique Florin) — minor
• Nathalie's father (played by Jean Bollery) — minor
• Luis Mariano (played by Laszlo Harmati) — minor

  Luis Mariano appears in the film’s dreamlike and magical-realist material through actor Laszlo Harmati. The film uses Mariano’s songs, including “Mexico” and “Maman, Tu Es La Plus Belle Du Monde,” in...

• Juliette (played by Juliette Van Dormael) — supporting
• Nathalie (played by Michele Maes) — supporting
• Harry's colleague (played by Dominic Gould) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Nathalie's mother → Nathalie's father (mother)
• Georges' Mother → Georges (mother)
• Harry's colleague → Harry (colleague)
• Julie → Juliette (Family Mother And Daughter) — Juliette is among the daughters included in Julie's refusal of Harry's visit.

  Julie refers to herself and the girls when telling Harry they do not want him to visit, and Juliette is identified as one of Harry's daughters.

• Julie → Alice (Family Mother And Daughter) — Julie speaks on behalf of the girls during Harry's attempted visit to Alice.

  Julie says that she and the girls do not want Harry to visit, and Harry's birthday visit to Alice takes place in Julie's presence.

• Nathalie → Nathalie's father (Family Father And Daughter) — Her father's stated prohibition shapes Nathalie's response to Georges's romantic hopes.

  Nathalie tells Georges that they cannot make love because her father says it is forbidden.

• Georges → Nathalie (Romantic Rejected Suitor) — Georges's hope for a romantic relationship with Nathalie ends in rejection and deepens his sadness.

  Georges hopes to marry Nathalie. When he pursues intimacy, Nathalie says they cannot make love because her father forbids it, and Georges is rejected.

• Harry → Juliette (Family Father) — Harry's separation from Julie has also left him struggling to maintain his relationship with Juliette.

  The plot identifies Juliette among Harry's daughters and describes his attempts to reconnect with his daughters.

• Harry → Alice (Family Father) — Harry tries to reconnect with Alice through a birthday visit, but the meeting ends painfully.

  Harry brings Alice a birthday gift, but Julie tells him to leave during the encounter.

• Harry → Julie (Family Former Spouses) — Their separation and painful attempts at contact show how strained Harry's family life has become.

  Harry's marriage to Julie is breaking down, and Julie tells him that she and the girls do not want him to visit.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Georges → Luis Mariano (Narrative Imagined Companion) — Luis Mariano appears within Georges's imaginative, dreamlike world rather than as an ordinary companion.

  Georges retreats into songs and fantasies, including imagining that the singer Luis Mariano is his companion.

• Harry → Georges (Social Close Friends) — Their chance meeting grows into a close friendship that disrupts Harry's routine and brings companionship to both men.

  Harry takes in Georges after encountering him hungry and lost. They travel together, share affectionate moments, and Georges repeatedly calls Harry hi...

Story Analysis

An unlikely friendship brings companionship to two lonely men while family estrangement and unfulfilled longing remain unresolved.

Plot Progression

1. Two Lives in Disarray — Georges introduces his world through imaginative descriptions and hopes of marrying Nathalie. Harry's marriage to Julie is breaking down, and her refusal of his visits leaves him questioning his life.
2. An Unexpected Companion — Harry takes in Georges after finding him hungry and lost. Georges's direct needs disrupt Harry's routine, and their companionship begins to grow.
3. Longing and Reconnection — Georges learns that his mother has been dead for years and retreats into songs and fantasies. He and Harry share affectionate travels while Harry continues trying to reconnect with his family.
4. Rejection and Imagined Comfort — Harry's attempt to visit Alice ends painfully, while Georges's hope for Nathalie ends in rejection. Georges imagines his mother's comfort, and the film closes with his longing and his bond with Harry...