Hélène, a housekeeper at a ritzy hotel in Corsica, is devoted to her family but lacks any passion in her own life. When she sees a handsome couple play a passionate game of chess, she becomes inspired to play herself. Hélène's working-class husband and spoiled daughter are soon bewildered by her obsession with chess. They also grow suspicious of Hélène's close relationship with Dr. Kröger, her eccentric American expat tutor.

Sandrine Bonnaire
as Hélène

Kevin Kline
as Kröger

Valérie Lagrange
as Maria

Francis Renaud
as Ange

Alexandra Gentil
as Lisa

Alice Pol
as Natalia

Élisabeth Vitali
as Marie-Jeanne

Jennifer Beals
as L’Américaine

Dominic Gould
as L’Américain

Christine Ambrosini
as La femme de l'autocar