Germain, whose sole published novel bombed, decides to mentor Claude and to help him to develop his writing skills, even though this entails Claude insinuating himself further within this normal family upon whom he has stumbled. The film soon starts to resemble Ruby Sparks, with both Germain and Claude discussing potential plot developments, which Claude then brings to life. Claude's writing also reminded me in its style of Cassandra, the protagonist of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle — recording everyday, excitement-free life can be interesting if you write well enough. But how much of what Claude writes and what we see is in Claude's imagination? And far will he have to go to achieve the dramatic tension he desires? And is Germain putting himself at risk by helping a boy who treads a thin line between social commentator and evil genius?
Dans la Maison is clever, funny and, of course, very dark. The script is sharp (I was doing my best not to read the subtitles) and the characters interesting and complex. Although I thought Kristin Scott Thomas was excellent as Germain's wife and although her relationship with Germain is as important to the story as the relationship between Germain and Claude, I did feel that the sub-plot involving the art gallery that she runs detracted from the story somewhat, even if it did provide some comic relief. I thought Umhauer was also good as the charming but creepy young writer. The film reminded me of a number of other movies too, including Adaptation and Entre les Murs, and it's not short on its more intentional literary and cultural references — Jeanne Germain can't understand why her exhibition that combines porn and dictators isn't a huge success, for instance. No, not even in France, apparently...