The film tells the story of an unnexpected encounter between Paloma, a little girl of remarkable intelligence and suicidal thoughts, Renée Michel, a discrete and solitary Parisian concierge. and of the enigmatic Monsieur Kakuro Ozu. The film, is based on L’élégance du hérisson, a book written by Muriel Barbery.
Water Drops on Burning Rocks is one of Ozon's best. Based on a play by Rainer Werner Fassbinder it is a deceptively simple tale of a businessman and his seduction of the supposedly straight Franz in his stylish 70s apartment. An intense drama of emotions plays its course and other players enter. Ludivine Sagnier plays Franz's girlfriend and Leopold also has an old flame. Beautifully played and choreographed, with great musical touches.