For Better and for Worse

A Franco-American production, shot in Paris and environs, this is a well-made and pleasing romantic comedy involving wedding plans for two young Parisians, Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and Catherine (Kelly Lynch) who, after whimsically posting an invitation to the Pope for their espousement, are astonished when the Pontiff accepts; however, the betrothed pair become estranged before the nuptial day due to misguided mutual jealousies and repercussions are wide-spread, enmeshing the Cardinal of Paris and the public relations firm that is organizing the fete, along with many other parties who would profit by having His Holiness in attendance. The work is splendidly cast, utilizing able Continental players who are facile in English sharing all supporting roles, co-stars Dempsey and Lynch being the sole Americans, and the screenplay by Fabrice Ziolkowski after a story by Tony Gilroy is nicely crafted with few jarring notes from dialogue, while the film is crisply directed and edited as well as very nicely designed, particularly in reference to the costume design of Valerie Pozzo di Borgo; camerawork and lighting of Yves Dahan is consistently inventive; notable acting turns come from Gerard Rinaldi as a harried publicity executive trying to save his faltering company, Simon Eine portraying the papally ambitious Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Paris, and Jean-Pierre Stewart as a lusty Polish painter.