The movie begins with Tautou`s character, Nathalie, in a blissful marriage to Charles (Bruno Todeschini). The latter`s untimely death leaves her bereaved, but not impervious to the improbable charms of her co-worker, the distinctively unlovely, slightly neurotic Swede, Marcuse (Francois Damiens).
A tale of the redemptive power of love after heartbreak, Delicacy is a sweet, slightly improbable narrative that lacks impact, but still manages to get the film`s message across. The trauma that Nathalie undergoes upon losing her husband is generally downplayed, much to the film`s overall detriment, and its focus on feel-good moments may be slightly cloying to the slightly cynical.
Tautou brings to Delicacy her trademark pixie-ish charm, but the film itself banks too strongly on the charisma of its leading lady, thanks to a script that is…well, nondescript, and a plot that is meandering and predictable in trajectory.
Occasionally witty, but too bland by half, Delicacy has ample time to develop the relationship between its leading couple, but squanders the subtle chemistry between Tautou and Damiens with a lack of tension or any memorable progression in the princess-frog courtship of the two. Still, it makes for a good date movie, particularly given the long lulls in the film that make for perfect opportunities to steal a kiss or three from one`s movie-going partner.
Summary: A passable confection – slightly bland and too airy to be memorable.
Rating: 3/5 Raphael Lim