Just An Illusion ★★★★

Released: 11 September 2026

Director: Eric Toledano + Olivier Nakeche

Starring: Simon Boublil, Louis Garrel, Camille Cottin, Pierre Lottin, Alexis Rosentiehl

If Imagination’s song with the same title, Just an Illusion, was not featured as a needle drop in this film there would understandably have been huge swathes of audiences disappointed by that missed chance of nostalgia. However, all is not lost as the song makes an appearance from the outset setting the tone of a musical kaleidoscope on this compelling, insightful family journey through mid 1980s France. Just an Illusion impresses on all counts with its fluid dramedy drawing audiences into the chaos of a coming of age tale immersed within the politics of the era.

Starring many a French cinema heavyweight, Yves (Louis Garrel) and Sandrine (Camille Cottin) have impeccable chemistry as combative parents to Vincent (Simon Boublil), the 13 year old protagonist who is experiencing the trials and tribulations of suburban life outside Paris and has the growing pains to match! His relationship with older brother Arnaud (Alexis Rosentiehl) is equally as combative as they literally butt heads on everything as their music tastes clash and they’re prone to indulging in wrestling when the verbal sparring doesn’t suffice! The scene is set for Vincent’s angst to extend beyond the typical concerns of fitting in at school. At some point, he worryingly queries to his frenemy brother whether their parents might divorce and also wonders about his identity enquiring whether the family is French, Jewish or something else.

The film also intersperses real world problems for Vincent’s parents amongst the backdrop of adolescence. His father, unbeknownst to his family, is bearing the brunt of the unemployment crisis that was rife in the mid 1980’s. Just an Illusion directly confronts such issues as an exploration of the role of a man as the head of a family. It is an amusing portrayal by Garrel, where he resorts to secretive strategies to maintain the appearance of maintaining an income. Directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakeche subtly illustrate the shifting dynamics between workplace politics where women’s rights were slowly emerging as Sandrine attempts to have her efforts recognised and to seek higher value work.

Rather than employing the structure of a bleak kitchen sink tale, Just an Illusion does not fail to inject humour within some of the profound topics, including Yves’ cruel, but hilarious, trick at Vincent’s expense, insinuating that a political photo with men holding hands was symptomatic of a taboo relationship! Given that the film is based on the directors’ own experiences makes this even more endearing.

Remarkably, this is Boublil’s debut role and he fits in seamlessly amongst the seasoned older actors with impeccable comedic flair. Just an Illusion separates itself from and is yards above the standard coming of age tales, which is to be expected, from Toledano and Nakeche, who were at the helm of the excellent worldwide success Intouchables. Blending the new generation with seasoned actors is a reflection of the mix of topics embraced in this film which, similar to Intouchables, also demonstrates the migrant experience. Again, the directors introduce audiences to likeable characters that we would wish to hang around with nods to TV shows such as the Wonder Years and adolescent friendship depicted in Stand by Me.

Equally outstanding is the level of dedication employed to recreating the teenage passion for music and films within that era. The eclectic soundtrack remains a large USP, as it interweaves between the antics of the stellar cast, ranging from songs such as In Between Days by the Cure, Le Trafic by Francis Cabrel and an amusing, tongue in cheek riff on those meet cutes to Genevieve by Andrew Gold. On Arnaud’s side of the wall, in his shared bedroom with Vincent, are posters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease, Footloose and more which capture that essence of the global sensation that such films became. The film also takes the opportunity to illustrate that contrast with French classics as Vincent and his friends watch VHS tapes of Claude Lelouch’s Un Homme et Une Femme (A Man and a Woman) as a cover up for trying to sneak in a watch of the more risqué La Ruée Vers Laure – with laugh out loud moments ensuing!

Strikingly, for a French film, Just an Illusion adopts a global stanch, within its attempts to tackle universal issues whilst still employing delightful French cinematic traits. As such, there are surprising real life footage interspersed of scenes at concerts such as SOS Racisme and La Nuit des Beurs which were defining moments of activism and political movements with youths feeling compelled to make a stand and be involved. Whilst audiences might yearn for the seemingly simpler times of the 1980s sans Internet and social media, this was also a period of revolution and political charge.

Toledano and Nakeche have done it again – created a film that is bound to be a global success with which many people can resonate. Exploring notions of freedom and existentialism, religion versus pop culture within a heartwarming familial structure. A deliberately chaotic film, but Just an Illusion is bound to invoke that desire to embrace the chaos of our own families and to create and listen to a physical mix tape of some classic 80s songs!