Almost twenty years after her death, author Patricia Highsmith is still a hot commodity. Just a few months after Andy Goddard agreed to direct the adaptation of her 1953 novel The Blunderer, it looks like another one of her works is headed for the big screen.
Deadline reported that Adrian Lyne will helm Highsmith’s 1957 thriller Deep Water for Fox 2000. Like The Blunderer, the book weaves a suspenseful yarn about the very dark side of suburbia, where sex and murder are the inevitable outcomes. See a full synopsis below, courtesy of Amazon:
In Deep Water, set in the small town of Little Wesley, Vic and Melinda Meller’s loveless marriage is held together only by a precarious arrangement whereby in order to avoid the messiness of divorce, Melinda is allowed to take any number of lovers as long as she does not desert her family. Eventually, Vic tries to win her back by asserting himself through a tall tale of murder—one that soon comes true.
Based on the description, the project is a perfect fit for Lyne, who hasn’t made a film since the erotic drama Unfaithful. The British filmmaker built a career on crafting steamy titles, including 9 ½ Weeks, Fatal Attraction, and Indecent Proposal, not to mention his less-than-successful Lolita remake. After a decade of inactivity, it seems appropriate that he would throw his hat back in the directing ring with another scintillating tale.
Lyne will direct off a script by Zach Helm (Stranger Than Fiction, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium), who was hired to adapt the book last year. With a director and writer in place, and a rumored “big star” in talks to board the film, a production date isn’t far off. I’m sure fans of Lyne can’t wait to see what kind of hot stuff he’ll deliver.
Are you glad to see Lyne back to directing? Do you think he’s a good choice for Deep Water?