It is not often that Mary and I get the distinct pleasure of attending a film at our favorite fine arts theatre, The Rio, but when we do we inevitably end up seeing a film that is well worth the 40 minute drive over there. This weekend was no exception–we attended Pierre Salvador’s delightful French comedy, Priceless, and left with smiles on our faces. There simply is no greater way to spend a windy, chilly afternoon than to watch a foreign film in a quaint but comfortable ‘old-timey’ theatre.

The mere mention of French sensation Audrey Tautou classifed Hors de Prix as a must see. I fell hard for the ingenue in her break out role in Amelie and have followed her career with great interest. Granted, the premise of Priceless seemed to be nothing more than confectionery, but critical praise for the film gave me hope that I would not be disappointed. Let me tell you one thing, confectionery can be very good!

The basic trailer-revealed plot involves Irene (Tautou) enmeshed in a lifestyle of courting rich older men for the pleasure of spending their money. Jean (Gad Elmaleh) is innocently tending bar one night at the hotel, one of his many responsibilities working there, when Irene innocently mistakes him for a rich guest. Instantly smitten with her (and in the dress she shows up in, who wouldn’t be!), he goes along with the mistake which leads to but a moment of bliss. Irene soon discovers the truth and what follows is a journey towards true romance wrapped neatly up in the packaging of a very black (at times painfully so) comedy.

Gad Elmaleh is outstanding. His awkward, shy, high-class-hotel-staff politeness plays nicely against Audrey Tautou’s shallow, gold-digging self interest. Together they have an obvious chemistry that is frequently derailed by Tautou’s character Irene’s inability to let go of her obsession with money and with things. Audrey Tautou demonstrates that she has the acting ability to make the viewer (mostly) set Amelie-like expectations aside and see Irene for the flawed character that she is. She is such a pleasure to watch and I sincerely enjoyed the moments these two spent on-screen together.

There are genuinely funny moments in this film. It is, after all, a comedy. But much of the comedy of Priceless only marginally covers the underlying anguish of living a life predicated on deception and an unhealthy love of riches over relationships. And unlike watching an American film the pain is not glossed over by happy endings all around. That’s not to say that this film lacks a predictable romantic comedy ending, but what I did find interesting was that I very unrealistically wanted many more happy endings than what I received. The obvious emptiness of a life filled with riches yet without genuine love is a character who shares screen time with everyone.

I have a great love of foreign films, particularly French ones, as they often portray an impossibly gorgeous, picture-postcard, romantic setting that is a perfect visual representation of what we all believe these places to be. It doesn’t matter to me if everything does not look that beautiful in real life. It looks that way in my mind and I enjoy seeing that dream projected on film. This film was particularly lovely to look at. A favorite scene finds our two principals riding a scooter out in the French countryside at night and the way that part of the film was lit was just fascinating to me. I’m not sure I have ever seen a night scene lit in that way and it was particularly memorable.

In the end Priceless is what I described at the beginning of this review. It is a light work with some deeper meanings but is in no way an original concept. What makes Priceless rise above standard romantic comedy fare and allows critics to sing it’s praises is the acting ability of Tautou and Elmaleh. Both turn in performances that at once represent and rise above the material they are given. I found the experience to be a delight and would (on this one rare occasion) agree with Kansas City Star critic Robert Butler and give this movie 3 out of 4 stars.

Chances are you will not get to see Priceless in the theater because of it’s smaller release, but if you can, take someone you love and enjoy. If you are not able to do so, be sure to pick it up once it comes out on DVD. It is well worth watching.