David (Gérard Depardieu, cast intriguingly against type) is an ostensibly meek, mild-mannered accountant who tells his colleagues that he spends his weekends visiting his elderly, ailing parents. Actually, he spends his spare time refurbishing the chalet in which he intends to live with childhood sweetheart Lise (Dominique Laffin). His plan is complicated by her marriage to the father of her unborn child, making him little more than a deluded stalker. David in turn is being pursued by the lovelorn Juliette (Miou-Miou). Although the author disliked the liberties director Claude Miller took with her text, this is perhaps the most truly filmic of Highsmith adaptations.

Screening as part of our Patricia Highsmith on Screen season, July 2nd to 24th.