WATER DROPS ON BURNING ROCKS is a scathing satire on the serendipity of Desire. Ozon filters his observations through the prism of Time and Sexual Genre. Act I begins with two inappropriately aged men who grapple with an almost laughable seduction. Later, there are references to their earlier lives, and projections to their future. By the end of the play, Women are introduced. Sexual identity takes a backseat to the object of their collective longings and passions. Not a single frame of the film leaves the confines of this trendy 70s bachelor pad, and the costumes are a real trip. And, the short dance number near the middle of the film is worth the price of admission. If you like a dialog driven film which examines the unpredictable nature of Eros, this might be the film for you.

After the original but distressing "les amants criminels", François Ozon decided to adapt a German play. The action takes place in Germany during the seventies. A flat is the sole scenerie and the movie focuses on an homosexual love affair between 2 characters: a fifty year-old man and a student. François Ozon films their love life with reserve and discretion and confirms his skill of making.This is a movie that is worth for its clever dialogs and especially its outstanding performance. Bernard Giraudeau dominates the cast. An important part of the movie rests on his shoulders. François Ozon's movie is also a reflection about love and sexual desire. On the other hand, I think that the end of the movie is rather unsuccessful, from the moment when Giraudeau comes back in the flat with a friend of his. The sequence where the 4 characters are dancing on a disco music is particularly laughable. Apart from this, a smart movie that skilfully avoids filmed stage production

I wasn't prepared for this one. I expected to view a "normal" movie ... but this wasn't one of them.It is an adaptation of a teather piece, and all the action takes place in a apartment.During the first three acts I was a bit stirred by the open showed homosex situation between the lad and the man, and I thought i was to give to this movie a 2/10 vote.But I have to admit that the dialogues between the two characters, (deliberately stirring and oscillating between drama, satire and paradox), are well done.When the girl and the woman enter the scene, the movie turns into total paradox till the paradoxal ending.It starts almost like a reality movie, but it is all except a reality movie.It's a black drama with satire and paradoxes, that revolves around the profound (and, to me, degradating and disgusting) effects that sex can have on people.Not for all tastes.Vote 5/10

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!