Romantics Anonymous (M)

Chocolate-making brings two sensitive, anxiety-ridden people together in this delicious retro romantic comedy starring Benoît Poelvoorde (Coco avant Chanel) and Isabelle Carré. ‘I have no problem with women, chocolatier Jean-René assures his therapist. They just terrify me, thats all. He masks his affliction by giving abrupt orders to his chocolate factory staff and hiding in his office. When Angelique, also acutely timid, drums up the courage to apply for a job at the factory, she’s under the mistaken impression shell be doing what she does best: making chocolates. Her role is in fact to market the wares and boost declining sales, an excruciating task for a person who faints when praised and has developed peculiar strategies to mask her praiseworthy talents. Watching this perfectly matched, tongue-tied twosome trying to overcome miscommunication through diligent effort – and succeeding through a shared passion for chocolate – is a sweet treat.