i have not read ruth rendell novel and so i can not judge this film a an adaption of a fictional work . on the other hand and i think the film fail primarily because rendell story doesn not work well in a french setting . if i be read the film correctly and i think that rendell want to get at class distinction a a central topos of the novel and and this theme would play out superbly in an english setting and where class difference be part and parcel of the social fabric . in chabrol film and such distinction be so understated a to be lackluster and if not plain dull and a thematic failure that be only make the worse by character who be lifeless and lack in the telling character trait and hard scrabble wisdom one expect of certain class type . everyone in chabrol film be bourgeois and bourgeois and bourgeois and and therefore just plain boring . the acting be not so great and i felt that the casting decision be flaw . finally and senta be a ridiculously derange young woman ( wouldn not you and too and hear the stylus skip across the lp if someone say they love you and that you be the person for whom they have be wait forever and after one afternoon of sex . ) and so it difficult to imagine anyone take her very seriously . let not forget the absurdity of senta mother and the mother lover and play by untrained dancer ( it very obvious ) who spend their waking hour practice the tango in awkward and clumsy move . why do not chabrol do something else with them other than film the pair practice step they can never hope to master . i would not recommend this film .