LA DELICATESSE / DELICACY
France, 2011, 105 minutes, Colour.
Audrey Tautou, Francois Damiens, Bruno Todeschini.
Directed by David Foenkinos and Stephane Foenkinos.
If you are fond of French romantic comedies and dramas, especially with that Gallic je-ne-sais-pas-quoi, you should enjoy La Delicatesse. It is the story of a loving romance and marriage which is broken by the tragic death of the husband in an accident, then the story of a lonely and grieving widow, then an unlikely romance where a lot of people become victims of their prejudices, unfavourably judging people by their appearance. Nothing particularly new, but that does not matter, because it is all nicely done.
It is a star vehicle for Audrey Tautou who entered moviegoers’ consciousness with her performance as Amelie of Montmartre in 2001. Since then she has appeared in a number of romantic films but also the World War I drama, A Very Long Engagement. She was also the co-star of The Da Vinci Code. Her role in La Delicatesse as Nathalie shows what she does best. Because she has that gamin, pixie face and slender build, she seems the embodiment of delicacy.
The early scenes of the film are full of the delight of romance and a happy marriage. After the shock of the death, she seems numbed and survives by her constant work. Friends, of course, urge her to make a new life. Her married boss makes advances.
Whether this happens only in French films –perhaps - she impetuously kisses one of her work team, a Swede who has lived in France for 15 years. He is, judging by appearances, quite an unprepossessing man. However, his rhapsody after being kissed, walking up a hill with all the girls looking at him to the tune of T Rex’s Get it On, is cut short when Nathalie declares she cannot remember kissing him and is all apologies. Francois Damiens as Markus is immensely likeable.
What follows is a genial growing in friendship despite the snide comments of her boss and even of her friends.
The ending is sweet, a touch of fantasy as Markus acknowledges Nathalie’s love for her husband and his own love for her. Happy ever after.
1. The title, French romantic comedy, delicate style?
2. The city settings, the contrast with the countryside, the cemetery? Apartments and offices? Bars and restaurants? The theatre? The musical score – the range of songs and their lyrics?
3. Audrey Tautou and her screen appeal? Nathalie at the opening, the cafe, Francois and his betting what she would choose, the joke about their reunion? His proposal? On his knees? Nathalie at the theatre, fooling around with Sophie? Her job? The collage of the wedding photos? The collage of their trips abroad? The meal with the respective parents, getting on well with them? Wanting to get rid of them, hoping for pregnancy? Casual, at home? Francois, his shorts, going jogging, his death? A genial character?
4. The funeral, both parents, Nathalie and her grief, wanting to be alone, bewildered, her mother bringing food, her going out?
5. The background of her job, the interview with Charles, her success in the office, hardworking, Chloe working with her? Her decision to come back to work? Going in to Charles – and his approach, the possibility of harassment? His taking her to dinner, his approach, her not being attracted to him, walking away, her apology and frank speaking to him? Her new job, gathering her team together, their success?
6. Markus as part of the group, from Sweden? His coming into Nathalie’s office, the sudden kiss? The effect on Markus, walking on a cloud, going up the street with all the women looking at him, T-Rex? and ‘Get it On’? The aftermath, the letdown, Nathalie asking him to forget, her apology?
7. The two talking, unlike but at ease with each other, the developing friendship, the outings?
8. Charles and his talk at the bar with Markus? Markus explaining that Nathalie enabled him to be his best self? Going to Sophie, the group, their disapproval?
9. Nathalie, the possibilities of a relationship? In the office, Charles rebuking her and mentioning Francois’ name?
10. Her leaving the office, leaving the planned meeting, driving to the countryside, Markus and his search for her – on the roof where they met and talked? Nathalie in the countryside, the place of her childhood, meeting Markus, the rain, going to her grandmother, changing into the old clothes, the soup, the night together?
11. In the garden, the game of hide and seek, Markus saying that he would hid in the stages of Nathalie’s life, their being visualised? Nathalie and her looking to the audience at the end?
12. Comedy and romance with the delicate touch, Gallic style?
