The car has no air conditioning and the children are feeling sick, so the family decides to make a rest stop and turn back.

At dinner, Harry reminds Michel of a poem he had published in a school newspaper, as well as a science fiction story, The Flying Monkeys; he then offers to help the family out however he can, claiming money is no object.

Michel apologises to Claire and is inspired by Harry's favourite food to write a more personal story called The Eggs.

Michel stays up all night filling in the well, surprising Claire, who also tells him that she read The Eggs and thinks it is brilliant.

[3] The film won several César Awards including for Best Actor (Lopez), Best Director (Moll) and Best Editing (Yannick Kergoat).

[4] Miramax, who distributed the movie in America, had plans to develop an American remake of the film as far back as 2001.

Wes Craven was attached to direct, and Rufus Sewell was cast as Harry, with Christopher Walken and Mary McCormack being looked at to play the couple.

[6] Two years later, Focus Features acquired distribution rights, while Adam Bernstein replaced Peirce as director.