Delicacy (La Délicatesse) 2011

It’s a rom-com but rather than the loud laughs of Hollywood, this is an amusing French affair in which Audrey Tautou is once again cast for the pixie-like charms of Amélie, rather than the dramatic chops she displayed in Coco avant Chanel. The narrative centres on Tautou’s prematurely-widowed Nathalie, as she deflects her grief by throwing herself into her work, and then at the unlikely figure of her lanky, balding, socially awkward Swedish co-worker, Markus (played by the suitably gawky François Damiens.) Markus is gobsmacked to have attracted the attention of the beautiful Nathalie – as are her family, friends and workmates. And… that’s it really.

It’s overlong for such a slender plot, no doubt due to its being based on one of the director’s novels. Whilst it would certainly benefit from more judicious editing, the charm of the central performances, especially Tautou’s contemporary Audrey Hepburn-turn, are enough to carry you through.

The direction and cinematography focus on the performances rather than showy pyrotechnics, with artful attention to detail in the costuming and colour scheme, accompanied by a superb soundtrack selection. Don’t expect to laugh-out-loud – but, if you enjoy your romances served à la française and your comedy low-key, Delicacy is sure to leave a smile on your gob and a glow in your heart. Hide