The Inner Life of Martin Frost 2007

After finishing his fourth novel, the successful author Martin Frost (David Thewlis) retreats to the empty countryside home of his friends Jack and Diane. His aim is to find solitude and “live the life of a stone,” allowing him to immerse himself in the creative process. Nestled among a grove of trees, the serene cottage filled with books offers him the isolation he craves. As he explores the beautiful surroundings, inspiration strikes, prompting him to vow that he won’t leave until he has completed his new story using his friends’ old typewriter.

However, the tranquility of Martin’s writing retreat is disrupted when he awakes one morning to find a stunning woman, Claire Martin (Irène Jacob), asleep beside him. Both startled by this unexpected turn of events, Claire introduces herself as the owners’ niece and reveals her admiration for Martin’s body of work. Although he initially desires solitude, they agree to coexist in the cottage. Over the next few days, Martin finds himself increasingly captivated by Claire, engaging her in deep conversations about philosophy and the creative process. This intimate connection eventually blossoms into love, leading to a passionate encounter.

Elated by his new romantic partnership, Martin dedicates himself to writing. Yet, dramatic changes occur when Claire suddenly collapses on the lawn, falling grievously ill. Unable to shake the fear for her well-being, Martin tends to her, but she descends further into delirium. After he completes his manuscript, the heart-wrenching reality sets in as Claire passes away. In a moment of desperation and realization about her strong ties to his story, he incinerates the pages filled with his narrative, resulting in a miraculous turn of events that revives her. Their newfound love is thrilling; however, Claire becomes conflicted by his sacrificial act of destroying his work.

While heading to the airport for a trip back to Martin’s home in New York City, the couple’s plans take an unfortunate turn when they experience a flat tire. Martin steps away to find help, leaving Claire in the car. In his absence, she mysteriously vanishes into the woods. Heartbroken, Martin encounters a local plumber and aspiring writer, Jim Fortunato (Michael Imperioli), who persuades him to review some of his short stories. Later, Jim returns, bringing along his orphaned niece, Anna James ([Sophie Auster]), offering her cleaning services in exchange for Martin’s feedback on her uncle’s writings. As it turns out, Anna is a gifted singer and actress, leading Martin to welcome her into his home.

During her stay, Anna encounters Claire, who is hiding away, and offers her assistance. In a poignant moment, Anna instructs Martin to don a blindfold. Once it’s securely in place, Claire appears, enveloping him in a warm embrace while cautioning that he mustn’t look at her directly lest she vanish. The next morning, as they prepare to resume their journey to the airport, Claire joins them in the backseat of the car, reassuring Martin that he can gaze at her through the mirrors. With love reflected in their eyes, the trio sets off together, embarking on a journey filled with mystique and desire.