'La délicatesse' is a lovely French dish written by David Foenkinos and directed by both David and Stéphane Foenkinos. Much of the success of this slightly to the edge story of the vagaries of love and life as they intertwine is due to the presence of the irresistible charm and charisma of lead actress Audrey Tautou. She is able to take this story that at times seems impossibly off track and keep it grounded in her sense of lightness and focus, making us believe that what actually happens to this character is truly quite possible.

Nathalie Kerr (Audrey Tautou) is a successful businesswoman who happens to meet the rather unkempt but impish François (Pio Marmaï, an irresistibly charming actor) quite by accident (and an order of apricot juice) in a café. Nathalie is literally swept off her feet and rather quickly this spontaneous meeting of hearts results in blissful marriage. The perfect scenario ends tragically when François is accidentally kill. Nathalie's heart seems irreparable and she trudges through life bathed in grief and longing. Even her handsome boss Charles (Bruno Todeschini) can't woo her: Nathalie is frank in her objection that Charles is a married man. Then the door to her office opens and a subordinate nerdy appearing geek named Markus Lundi (François Damiens) walks in and Nathalie impetuously greets him with a passionate kiss - an act she represses thinking that such a deed was impossible. And this apparent one- sided accidental occurrence lightens Markus' life and he is committed to falling in love with the resistant Nathalie. The 'courtship' leads to Nathalie's recognition that love and happiness can happen in the most unexpected places and ways.

Summarizing the story makes it sound trite and bordering on silly, but it is the delicately French manner in which it is told that makes the film so refreshingly endearing. The entire cast is first class (director Stéphane Foenkinos is best known as one of France's best casting directors!) but it is the glimmering lightness of Tautou and Marmaï and Damiens that make it sail. A perfect Valentine.

Grady Harp

In retrospect Amelie was probably something of a mixed blessing in the career of Audrey Tautou. Prior to that breakthrough role she was getting decent roles in quality movies such as Tonie Marshall's Venus Beaute where she could coast in the wake of a heavy hitter like Nathalie Baye and let her carry the movie. After Amalie it was of course Tautou herself who had to pick up the ball and run with it and the results have been mixed at best and along the way she has had to watch as others - Isobel Carre for example, in Romantics Anonymous - have excelled in roles tailor-made for Tautou. Delicacy helps restore the balance and despite the inexperience of a first-time director there is still sufficient charm on hand to lift it out of the run-of-the-mill and it does no harm at all to have Ariane Ascaride along for the ride albeit wasted and underused at one and the same time. As time-passers go and antidotes to the cgi fodder this is as good as any and better than most.

Delicacy begins with a couple falling in love and marrying. However, shortly after the marriage, he is killed--leaving his widow (Audry Tautou) grieving for quite some time. IMDb says it's three years, though the film makes no mention of this. All you know is that she's withdrawn from those around her and puts all her energy into her job. However, something VERY strange happens. After her creepy boss tries to make the moves on her, she responds by grabbing a co-worker (François Damiens) and kissing him--leaving the poor guy VERY confused! Markus has no idea what to think--mostly because he feels he has no chance with such a beautiful woman! After all, he's balding, a bit clumsy and not at all flashy. What could she see in him? So Markus' instinct is to run--but she'll have none of that--she finds him comfortable and a great person. And, oddly, this unusual relationship starts effecting those around them in unpredicted ways. What's to become of these oddly matched but very nice people? See this film for yourself.

To say this romantic film is offbeat is clearly an understatement. In most Hollywood and French films, you'd never have such a relationship--and that is what I liked about this film. He ain't fancy, but he's decent...and decent is certainly worth having for this lonely lady. Too often, films have pretty folks...very pretty folks. It's nice to see someone who most would consider ordinary--and it's nice to see that that's good enough for the woman. He's sweet, very decent and kind---so what if his hair is thinning?! This sort of casting helped elevate the film in my eyes. Also, the slow pace was nice--a wonderful combination of music, acting and charm. Some might object to this approach--I think it made the film seem real. Overall, it ain't flashy but is full of charm--and would make a perfect date film. Sure, her kissing Markus really made little sense...but let go of this and just enjoy.

By the way, after seeing this film and singing its praises to my daughter, she told me that she tried watching it and hated it! Oh well, you can't please them all!