SHALL WE KISS? (2007)

Written & Directed By: Emmanuel Mouret 
Cinematography: Laurent Desmet 
Editor: Martial Salomon 

Cast: Emmanuel Mouret, Virgine Ledoyen, Julie Gayet, Michael Cohen, Frederique Bel, Stefano Accorsi 

When Gabriel and Emilie meet by chance, he offers her a ride, and they spend the evening talking, laughing and getting along famously. At the end of the night, Emilie declines Gabriel's offer of "a kiss without consequences". Emilie admonishes him that the kiss could have unexpected consequences, and tells him a story, unfolding in flashbacks, about the impossibility of indulging your desires without affecting someone else's life.

What I sometimes love about foreign films is that they take time to create characters. While still having the action, comedy, drama whatever genre they are geared for. The films tend to mostly revolve around dialogue and creating relationships and situations.

The films are not so quick yet after watching them they feel infinitely more satisfying.

This film starts off rather poorly. It seemed to have a quirkiness yet felt bland and stale. Then about a half hour into into it. It begins to finally get interesting.

The premise at the center of it. The way the story of an affair, the reasons for it starting was ridiculous and unbelievable from that starting point it seemed doomed. Then the film moves along and at first seems very sterile but soon becomes funny, then emotional.

One of the reasons I actually watched this film And the reason the film even kept my interest is the actress Virgine Ledoyen. Amazingly in most movies she appears in there is never a bad shot of her and this was one of the few films in which she does comedy. Luckily she is in most of the film. So even when the film was going bad one can just gaze at her and be satisfied.

The writer director of the film Also stars. He gives an ok performance but it is hard to believe that his character could attract so many gorgeous women. So it does take you out of the film a bit. It feels more like the directors personal fantasy lived out on screen. Other then that the film is a light romantic comedy that turns dramatic towards the end.

The film will remind some of the style of Woody Allen. Not as good but more structured and daydream worthy. Though at times feels just as personal and indulgent. The film feels like an adult fairy tale with no supernatural or magical elements.

The film doesn’t paint around with any heroes or villains. Everyone is full blooded and believable though maybe a bit too nice.

Ultimately it’s not a film to seek out but if you need a good rental. One might suggest it.

GRADE: B-