The unexpected nature of love's journey is the subject of this disarmingly funny yet powerful film in which we partake in the emotional twists and turns. With the luminous Audrey Tautou in the central role of Nathalie, screenwriter Foenkinos has adapted his novel 'La Delicatesse' with great finesse, capturing the nuances of relationships and the complex road to happiness.

At the beginning of the film, we meet Nathalie (Tautou), radiant in the glow of love with François (Pio Marmaï). In an enticing snapshot of their relationship, we watch them meet over apricot juice in a Paris café, get a feel for their close relationship and are there for the proposal and the fairytale wedding in the snow. They are so perfectly matched that even their respective parents never argue. François' sudden death in a road accident leaves Nathalie shattered. Although she tries to remove every reminder about him by deleting his name from her phone and throwing out all his clothes and possessions including his laptop, she seems unable to move on.

The scene at work in which Nathalie kisses Markus Lundl (François Damiens), a lumbering, balding Swede, comes as a total surprise - it's as though she is in a trance when she walks towards him in her office and kisses him thoroughly. Cupid has struck and clearly besotted by her, Markus becomes confused as Nathalie brushes off the kiss with an apology, but agrees to have dinner with him. They're an odd couple - he is like a big teddy bear, while she is a petite doll. He is awkward and insecure; she is efficient and says her mind. He likes it when she laughs because it makes him think that he's funny.

There are lovely moments throughout this charming tale that always has a soulful undercurrent. Tautou's presence and her natural flair for comedy keeps us engaged.


URBAN CINEFILE
Copyright URBAN CINEFILE