Water Drops on Burning Rocks (2000)
"Gouttes d'eau sur pierres brûlantes" (original title)

In the 70s Germany, a 50 year old businessman falls in love with a 20 year old boy.

Director:

François Ozon

Writers:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder (play), François Ozon

Stars:

Bernard Giraudeau, Malik Zidi, Ludivine Sagnier

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bernard Giraudeau	...	Léopold
Malik Zidi	...	Franz
Ludivine Sagnier	...	Anna
Anna Levine	...	Véra (as Anna Thomson)

Storyline

Germany in the 1970s. Whilst waiting for his girlfriend, a young student, Franz, allows himself to be picked up by 50-year old businessman, Léopold. In his apartment, Léopold provokes Franz into revealing his homosexual experiences and soon manages to seduce him. Six months later, Frantz has moved in with Léopold and they appear to live as an ordinary married couple. The strain is beginning to show, however, and after a row Frantz threatens to leave. Whilst Léopold is away, Frantz is visited by his former girlfriend, Anna, and their romance is soon rekindled. Before the two lovers can escape, Léopold returns and his charms persuade Anna to stay. Léopold's ex-lover Vera then makes an unexpected appearance and the menagerie is complete...

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Plot Keywords:

businessman | love | homosexual | 1970s | first gay sexual experience | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French German

Release Date:

15 March 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

Gotas que caen sobre rocas calientes

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$10,617 (USA) (14 July 2000)

Gross:

$86,132 (USA) (20 October 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fidélité Productions, Les Films Alain Sarde, Euro Space

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 82 min (video)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on a play written by famous film director Rainer Werner Fassbinder when he was only 19.

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Soundtracks

"Tanze Samba mit mir"
Performed by Tony Holiday
(Daniele Pace (as T. Pac) / Franco Bracardi (as F. Bracardi) / Tony Holiday (as T. Holiday)), Gianni Boncompagni (uncredited) & Ann Reid (uncredited)
© Sugar Music France
Avec l'aimable autorisation de Sugar Music France
(P) Polydor Gmbh
Avec l'aimable autorisation de Universal Projets Spéciaux

User Reviews

A film that sizzles

The film version of Fassbinder's play retains the theatrical structure with 4 acts, 4 actors and 4 great performances. The dialogue wins you over at once and keeps you in rapt attention hanging on every word. Leopold a persuasive self-indulgent bi-sexual restructures the lives of 3 people as he introduces them to new sexual adventures. First there's Franz a good-looking 20 year old who is contemplating marriage with his girlfriend Anna. He becomes confused about love when he has a homosexual dream which Leopold is only too happy to recreate once he has enticed the somewhat inexperienced Franz into his bed. Then there's Anna who is agreeably surprised at the change in Franz's sexual attitude. She too is overwhelmed by Leopold's advances towards her. Thirdly there's Vera - now a woman, once a man - Leopold's ex-lover perhaps more confused and disappointed than any of them. It's an entertaining romp as we watch the hand of experience "create" new lives for each of them. Leopold always in search of novelty knows what each victim is yearning for and he is only too ready to meet their desires....at least until the novelty wears off. I felt the first three acts were absolutely flawless. Act 4 with its black humour was less appealing I thought. The telephone call to his mother was quite unforgettable....."I think I'll go to Heaven because I'm young!"....and spoken with such dead pan sincerity. And the follow-up call to mother was a real gem. Yes...it's the dialogue that fascinates and holds the play together... the casting too is exceptional....and as for the old game of Ludo.... it will be so much more meaningful to me in the future!