A Pure Formality

A man (Depardieu) is running through the woods during a violent storm. Dripping wet, he is taken to an isolated provincial Police Station where he declares that he is the famous novelist and playwright, Onoff. The Inspector (Polanski) is highly skeptical of the man's tale. How can this coarse man be his idol, Onoff, the author of his favorite novels? Could he be the person responsible for the murder committed near Onoff's home? And if he is innocent, why does he claim to not remember what he did at the time of the crime? And why does he repeatedly change his story? For his part, Onoff is outraged that he is being held against his will and unable to make a telephone call. The interrogation lasts throughout the night, as the Inspector tries a variety of approaches in his dogged attempt to get his suspect to confess. Sometimes he tries to forge a bond with Onoff, flattering him for his literary genius. He tests and baits Onoff with his near encyclopedic knowledge of his writings and life. At other times, the Inspector resorts to more brutal techniques. Onoff, a master storyteller, has some wily tricks of his own. Hidden behind this unfolding cat-and-mouse game between these two personalities is a deeper mystery, with a surprising outcome that has overtones of Kafka and "Outward Bound." (official distributor synopsis)