| FRANCE, 2007, 102 min Directed by EMMANUEL MOURET In French with English subtitles |
"Before a kiss has been given, no one knows if it'll be big or small." So begins this smart romantic comedy in which two strangers meet by chance, enjoy each other's company over dinner, and come to the end of the evening. Will there or won't there be a goodnight (and/or goodbye) kiss? She hesitates and tells him there is a story behind her decision. She narrates (and we see, in flashback) the story of Judith (the lovely Virginie Ledoyen of 8 Women) and Nicholas (Mouret), good friends whose lives become complicated when she, married to his friend, agrees to sleep with him to help him overcome his lack of passion with women. Their consequent intensely passionate affair and unwillingness to hurt others leads to questions about friendship, intimacy, and love, but keeps the tone light, assisted by a wonderful use of classical music throughout. Very French, maintaining that je ne sais quoi that the French do so well. Will she or won't she? And why? The witty and charming SHALL WE KISS is French sentimental comedy at its best, with just the right touch of melancholy. 
