Water Drops on Burning Rocks 2000

As Léopold (Bernard Giraudeau), a 50-something entrepreneur, returns home, he unexpectedly brings along Franz (Malik Zidi), a 20-year-old with a life in flux. What follows is a spontaneous evening filled with drinks and deep reflection, where Franz opens up about his fears regarding his upcoming marriage to Anna (Ludivine Sagnier). He expresses a troubling absence of passion in their relationship, revealing that he seeks fulfillment through literature, theater, and the simple joys of life. Léopold, curious about Franz’s revelations, gently probes into his feelings, questioning whether Franz has ever experienced romantic feelings for another man. This leads Franz to confess a recurring dream of a mysterious stranger in an overcoat who shares an intimate moment with him. Léopold, who has navigated his own past relationships that veer towards men, empathizes with Franz’s inner conflicts. As the evening unfolds, their shared vulnerability culminates in an unexpected kiss, prompting Léopold to suggest they act out Franz’s dream, but this time with their roles reversed.

Fast forward six months: Franz has adapted to a rhythm of life with Léopold, who frequently travels for work. With Léopold’s absences growing longer, Franz finds himself in a passive role, attending to Léopold’s desires while the power dynamic shifts more heavily in Léopold’s favor. Tension brews between them, yet their physical connection remains intact. However, when Léopold reveals a burden of guilt about a client’s tragic fate—possibly linked to his relentless pursuit of success—Franz is left struggling to provide comfort. He instinctively turns back to their original role-play as a means of escape, but now they reverse their roles once again.

As time progresses, the friction between Léopold and Franz thickens. With the prospect of separation looming, Franz remains tethered to their connection, even as Léopold’s absence causes him spirals of boredom and despair. The situation escalates when Franz finds himself contemplating a firearm, an unsettling presence in his life. Amid this turmoil, Anna re-enters the scene, stirring up residual feelings as they confront their past—prompting Franz to again reenact the overcoat fantasy, but this time with Anna.

The intensity between Franz and Anna peaks as an illicit affair ignites, taking them into Léopold’s apartment for a passionate two-day retreat. Despite the fire between them, Franz is gripped by confusion, torn between his feelings for Anna and his prior love for Léopold. This conflict ultimately leads him towards the perilous decision to leave, a notion that Anna embraces with excitement as she dreams of their future family.

However, their plans for departure are abruptly interrupted when Léopold returns unexpectedly, exuding an air of casual indifference. Upon discovering Franz and Anna packing their possessions, Anna bluntly states Franz’s intention to leave, which only elicits laughter from Léopold, who casually asks for coffee. In this moment, Véra (Anna Levine), Léopold’s enigmatic ex-girlfriend, makes her entrance, her sophisticated aura adding another layer of complexity to the evening.

As night envelops them, Léopold enjoys introducing Véra to Franz and Anna, setting the stage for a night steeped in intrigue. He suggests Véra’s interest in being tied up, which irks Franz, who realizes he shares this kink with Léopold. The dynamics shift as the tension rises, leaving Anna caught in the crossfire of her loyalty to Franz and her desire to remain alongside Léopold.

Throughout the evening, Léopold’s control becomes increasingly evident, with both women indulging his whims. For Franz, this serves as a humiliating reminder of his subjugation to Léopold, prompting a boiling resentment that morphs into a dark fantasy of removing Léopold from the equation entirely.

As Franz navigates this emotional turmoil, he finds himself oscillating between his lingering feelings for Léopold and his turbulent relationship with Anna. Véra’s return, laden with her own sorrow, complicates matters further as she unveils the true essence of her relationship with Léopold—one defined by her role as his “creature.” This revelation creates an unexpected bond between her and Franz, albeit fleeting.

Ultimately, Véra’s pursuit of solace in Franz proves futile as she witnesses him succumb to the poison he has chosen. Léopold’s detached response to Franz’s demise only highlights his profound emotional emptiness, while Anna is left grappling with the weight of her loss, a burden far too heavy for her to bear.