Lily McInerny stars in the new film adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel “Bonjour Tristesse.” The movie follows Cécile, a teenager from the United States, as she spends a summer on the French Riviera with her father Raymond and his summer fling Elsa. The serene scene is disrupted when Anne, a refined family friend, arrives and threatens Cécile’s status as her father’s favorite. McInerny brings an electric ambivalence to the role of Cécile, studying the womanly powers of Elsa and Anne with both longing and fear.
Director Durga Chew-Bose elegantly captures bodies, fabrics, and seawater in her debut film. She gives each character unique habits and gestures, like the different ways they eat their morning apples. “Bonjour Tristesse” has a trancelike effect as it depicts the wonder of an adolescent summer.
McInerny herself attended a performing arts high school in New York City at age 13, driven by her passion for acting. By 19, she had booked her first major role.
McInerny embraces complex character dynamics
Playing younger characters in “Palm Trees and Power Lines” and now “Bonjour Tristesse” has been cathartic for McInerny, allowing her to revisit and reconcile aspects of youth. Working with Chloë Sevigny, who plays Anne, was a dream come true for McInerny. “When we met on set, I had to give myself time to fan out,” she says.
“But once we started working, it was easy to focus and immerse ourselves in our roles. Her support, trust, and generosity made a significant impact on my performance.”
McInerny hopes to one day work with other idols like Willem Dafoe, Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Isabelle Huppert. She believes in “planting little seeds of intention and hoping they grow into opportunities.”
Though the themes in “Bonjour Tristesse” are dark at times, McInerny loved how they were handled through the writing and character development.
She admits to carrying her characters with her until a project is finished. “It wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding,” she reflects on the role.
