4/5

Review by John P. Harvey.

Mélanie (Julia Piaton), a defence lawyer, knows that chronic health problems could lead her to die at any moment. Having determined to have something special in her life before that happens, she urges her best friend, Benjamin (Quentin Dolmaire), to come with her to Spain to experience something special too. To drive them both, she enlists a client, Lucas (Grégory Gadebois).

A Dash of Love takes us on a road journey in which Lucas nurses the relationship of the other two lead characters and helps them realise what they really want. In doing so, he deals in his own taciturn way with every surprise that Mélanie bravely throws at the others and with Benjamin’s maddening reluctance to air what’s on his mind.

Maël Piriou’s debut feature, A Dash of Love is a rather wonderful film: gentle, but well-paced; moving, and often hilarious; romantic, yet unafraid to delve into some of the squishier aspects of life.

Gadebois marvellously depicts the great-heartedness of the rough diamond Lucas and lends an earthy solidity to the verbal and sometimes physical comedy that Piaton and Dolmaire bring to their characters.

Cleverly using obstructions in landscape, architecture, and vehicular and interior design as comic props, the film lets us into the lives of others without barriers, lessons, or divisions and opens a refreshing window into a life on wheels.

If the story appears to lack complete consistency in minor aspects, it doesn’t interfere with your enjoyment. You’re in it for the journey, and the journey is one of exploration, discovery, revelation, realisation, and courage; if the final destination is not quite certain, then perhaps that’s just life. A great film for sharing and for a good laugh.

Screening at Palace cinemas.