DVD Review

The tale is one of infidelity, but of the most pure kind. Only in French cinema is infidelity made to seem so pure and so attractive. Judith (Virginie Ledoyen) is in a relationship with Claudio, whom she loves. She also has a best friend since high school named Nicolas (Emmanuel Mouret). When Nicolas suffers a grave heart break, Judith tries to help him by agreeing to sleep with him so that he may again feel affection. The humor comes from the awkwardness of their logical reasoning and attempt at a detached, almost “medical” experience. Naturally, they soon fall in love. But, this not being a Woody Allen film, no one is looking to kill anyone. Quite the contrary actually. Their hidden affair is justified because Judith does not wish to hurt Claudio. So what unfolds is a comedy about the denial of true love at the expense of trying to not hurt someone you have loved, but perhaps never truly.

The discussion that Shall We Kiss? initiates about the difference between true love and just plain old regular love is what makes it such an interesting film. Sure, there are comical moments, but mostly this is a film about what happens when true love is found while one is already in a loving relationship. Depending on one’s feelings about true love, you will either find this to be a beautiful comedy about the power of love or a pretentious Gallic excuse for infidelity.