Delicacy (2011)

A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker.

Directors:

David Foenkinos, Stéphane Foenkinos

Writers:

David Foenkinos (scenario), David Foenkinos (novel)

Stars:

Audrey Tautou, François Damiens, Bruno Todeschini

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Audrey Tautou	...	Nathalie Kerr
François Damiens	...	Markus Lundell
Bruno Todeschini	...	Charles
Mélanie Bernier	...	Chloé, la secrétaire de Nathalie
Joséphine de Meaux	...	Sophie
Pio Marmaï	...	François
Monique Chaumette	...	Madeleine, la grand-mère
Marc Citti	...	Pierre
Alexandre Pavloff	...	Benoît (as Alexandre Pavloff de la Comédie Française)
Vittoria Scognamiglio	...	La mère de François
Olivier Cruveiller	...	Le père de François
Ariane Ascaride	...	La mère de Nathalie
Christophe Malavoy	...	Le père de Nathalie
Audrey Fleurot	...	Ingrid, la secrétaire de Charles
Bénédicte-Lala Ernoult	...	L'ouvreuse du théâtre (as Bénédicte Ernoult)

Storyline

A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker.

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Plot Keywords:

co worker | loss of husband | overcoming grief | loss of loved one | office romance | 

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Taglines:

A new romantic comedy about Love, Fate and other Delicacies.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French Swedish

Release Date:

21 December 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

La delicadeza

Filming Locations:

Gare de Montgeroult - Courcelles, Rue du Moulin, Montgeroult, Val d'Oise, France

Box Office

Budget:

€7,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

2.4.7. Films, France 2 Cinéma, StudioCanal

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Delicacy is the first film for which brothers David and Stephane Foenkinos joined forces to direct, David having previously had a career as the writer of 15 novels, Stephane as a veteran casting director.

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Quotes

Markus Lundl: Elle me permet d'être la meilleure version de moi même.
[She let me be the best possible version of myself]

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Connections

References Cries & Whispers (1972)

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Soundtracks

Les Amants de Meme Jour
Written and performed by Émilie Simon

User Reviews

Average rom-com with a sweet heart

Nathalie (Audrey Tautou) is left devastated after the death of her new husband Francois (Pio Marmai) and spends the next three years mourning him, in a daze, floating through life. One day unexpectedly she kisses a new colleague of hers, Markus (Francois Damiens), an unattractive, balding Swede in an act that leaves him perplexed and creates tensions at work.

The first half of this film was incredibly dull and bland. I was beginning to regret seeing it until the introduction of Damiens as Markus. He bought a spark to the film and took it from a magnolia tragedy to a sweet and funny romantic comedy. Up until this point it felt like the film was going nowhere. Nathalie had been hit on by her boss in a scene which bought nothing to the film; she had somehow gone from selling programmes at the theatre to having her own office and running some sort of case (which was never explained). Then Damiens arrived and lit up the screen. His character was bumbling and nervous but sweet and kind and it is clear why Nathalie is drawn to him. Their relationship creates many funny scenes as well as some that verge on melancholia.

Tautou is fine as Nathalie but she is hardly stretched. She has to play a pretty young widow who looks glum, something her face seems to do naturally. The supporting cast are all fine too and include a Christina Hendricks lookalike who plays a secretary, wears the same outfits as 'Joan' from Mad Men and even has the same pen around her neck! The star of the show though is Francois Damiens who steals the film. He plays the sort of character that you would love to be friends with and you know would always look out for you. He also gives the ordinary man hope by getting together with Audrey Tautou. He also provides most of the film's comic relief.

One of the problems with the film is that it suffers with the same musical trouble as Little White Lies. Obviously film makers choose music that conveys a certain mood but here as in the aforementioned film, it is so palpable it verges on being ridiculous. I also have a problem with the dull first act but overall this is a throwaway romantic comedy which features strong central performances and a message that it doesn't matter how someone looks but what matters is what sort of person you are.

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