La délicatesse

I finished the book and warched the film immediately. I was pleased to discover that the script was written by the book's author, so it is perfectly adapted :) I enjoyed both the book and the film. And I loved the Markus character. He is just lovely.

Expectations can be such a bitch, when pre-conceived notions formed by others become shattered when reality dawns upon them. It can apply to many areas, but in a romantic comedy, it almost certainly applies to how one perceives the other half that a friend had chosen. And I suppose for the girls if their friend's new beau doesn't come tall, dark and handsome, but balding, goofy and awkward, then there will be bewilderment that will take on a life of its own around the gossip mills.

The debut feature of directors David and Stephane Foenkinos, adapting from the former's novel, Delicacy turned out to be not what one expected, with scenes played out in rather individualistic fashion, and ultimately never finding a natural rhythm of pacing. It's a classic case where the sum of all its parts turned out to be rather rote and hardly surpassing the brilliance of ideas injected into individual episodes, making it a rather rough ride where you'd constantly wonder just where the story is heading.

The draw here is of course Audrey Tautou, playing yet another strong female character whose whirlwind romance with Francois (Pio Marmai) comes to a full stop when the inevitable happens, in a scene where I was expecting a vehicle to hit Francois on the screen from right to left. Well that wish got unfulfilled, but Francois does succumb to injuries and Tautou's Nathalie Kerr becomes a widow, devoting herself to her work for the next three years, before discovering opportunities for a fresh love life comes knocking on her door again. And all these serving as the prologue, while being really inconsequential to everything else that came after, and could have sped up the pacing to get to the crux of the story instead.

And that's the new chapter of her life predominantly set in her workplace, where her boss Charles (Bruno Todeschini) tried to hit on her, and her fellow work group mate Markus Lundl (Francois Damiens) becomes comically attracted to her because of her sudden and unexpected, one off advances where she kisses him out of the blue. The rest of the film deals with their romantic dalliances, with some nice touches to dialogues given Markus' deadpan humorous streak, and self-deprecating jokes that gets delivered with a straight face. But it's true, I suppose for those who don't have what it takes on the outside, being a funny man definitely works wonders, and Markus soon has Nathalie eating out of his hand, not that he could handle the attention anyhow.

While the romance doesn't really work out that well, what did work are the little background events that anyone working in an office will encounter from time to time, and these are the most fun, with gossips spreading like wildfire, and how sometimes we get easily offended by others who tend to be quick to pass judgement on who we are from glimpses on the outside. Audrey Tautou is at her pixie best in a role somewhat failed to challenge the actress, with Francois Damiens upstaging her in almost every aspect and scene, thanks to having portray a more interesting character complete with insecurities and quirks that is easily identified with by anyone - you will feel his pain when being compared with the Ideal, Perfect Man, who exists only in minds and not in real life, and being quite the good sport and feeling quite comfortable with himself when his shortcomings are mocked at.

Delicacy turned out to be a rather choppy ride, with a rather erratic pacing and structure that seemed to branch off and take on a life of its own, rather than to be in sync to form a more coherent narrative. Still, it's down to the chemistry of the leads when playing the unlikeliest of couples both in social standing, looks and attitudes, without whom this delicacy would have turned out to be a bland affair.

Some movies are best seen in their original language without subtitles, some dubbed in your own language and some just with subtitles. La Delicatesse is a film which should be seen in French without subtitles which is how it impacts the viewer most. And rather than the 6 it gets on average rises to a more deserved 8.5 IMO. Romantic comedy for those in need of love. Works if you're in or out of a relationship. I still don't get the reason Nathalie kisses Marcus but everything after that makes sense, even feels very realistic as I can associate with most of the elements of the central theme of the movie, from Marcus's point of view to her boss's point of view having encountered both situations. The film is sweet and carries you on a dream, but isn't this what films are best for? Makes very nice viewing on cold winter nights.

This film achieves something that a heck of a lot of films, particularly romantic comedies, get wrong.

It captures that feeling of two people messily entering into a relationship. The initial joys and awkwardness. The moments of fright when it all seems overwhelming. The calm reflective times and the stormy moments of doubt.

After a shaky start, the film blossoms into a refreshingly cliché free study of a beautiful woman impulsively starting a relationship with a shy, ungainly, but good natured man. It's his goodness that comes through. He wins out over the slick womanisers through sheer innocent charm and a desire to do good.

A heart warming film about the need to love fearlessly and without following the crowd and of taking happiness where it's found.

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!