In 2006, Guillaume Canet was a hit in cinemas with the adaptation of the novel “Don’t tell anyone” by Harlan Coben. But did the film convince the American writer?
Don’t tell anyone: a frantic race signed Guillaume Canet
four years later My idol his first feature film, Guillaume Canet enjoyed enormous success in 2006 with Do not tell anyone. Adapted from the eponymous novel by Harlan Coben, the film opens with the aggression of Margot (Marie-Josée Croze) and Alexandre (François Cluzet), a couple madly in love, during a swim in the moonlight which turns to nightmare.
When Alexandre comes to his senses, his companion has disappeared. The authorities then find the lifeless body of the young woman. Eight years later, the pediatrician has not recovered from this tragedy. On the day of the fatal anniversary of the death of his wife, he receives a strange email asking him to click on a link at a specific time.
By opening it, he discovers a video on which appears a woman who looks exactly like Margot. As he arouses the suspicions of the police, Alexandre embarks on a frantic race to find her, convinced that she is still alive.
Kristin Scott Thomas, André Dussollier, Nathalie Baye, François Berléand, Marina Hands, Jean Rochefort and Gilles Lellouche complete the prestigious cast. At its output, Do not tell anyone brings together more than three million spectators. The feature film also won four Caesar: Best Director, Best Actor for François Cluzet, Best Editing, and Best Music.
Harlan Coben’s opinion on the film
During the promotion of the thriller, the writer reveals that Guillaume Canet has almost seen the project pass under his nose since British filmmaker Michael Apted (The world is not enough) notably considered transposing it to the screen. Finally, Harlan Coben cedes the rights to the French director, as he explains, quoted by Allocinated :
Guillaume Canet called me to ask me for the rights to the book, but they had already been sold in Hollywood. But the rights came back to me, Guillaume asked me again and I gave him a chance.
The author apparently does not regret this choice, since he considers that Guillaume Canet has perfectly understood the essence of his novel. In a promotional video he says about it:
Guillaume Canet, unlike many directors who wanted to make a good big thriller, understood that it was really a love story revolving around the character of François Cluzet, still just as in love with his wife despite the years past, and of this possibility, after having believed that she was dead, of being able to find her.
That’s what captivates us as an audience. That’s what attracts me as a writer. I was really excited about the movie.
Asked by TV Star in 2017, Harlan Coben adds about his collaboration with the actor and director:
I really liked working with him. I believe we will do it again one day. He is above all a friend!
