Romuald et Juliette (Coline Serreau, 1989)

While this starts as an amusing enough breakneck-paced piece on corporate backstabbing, the title rather gives away the inevitability of an eventual reversion to a romantic drama played out between its two principal players. These are the omnipresent Daniel Auteuil as a yoghurt company CEO and Firmine Richard as a black cleaner in the company offices. They're inevitably chalk and cheese in every conceivable way: he's loaded, materialistic and self-involved, she's a hard-pressed but salt-of-the-Earth single mother of five. In Hollywood, they'd be, say, Kevin Spacey and Queen Latifah.
When aspirants to his throne conspire against Auteuil, as well as each other, Richard takes him in and reveals the sort of astute detective skills you just knew lay under the surface to set him back on his feet. Then he of course finally discovers a heart. And in the best Hollywood tradition, a happy ending can't come without wealth and harmony for all.
This may all sound painfully trite, and it does end up as a piece of fluff. But it's an enjoyable one nevertheless: its saving graces are wit and a few scenes which don't just pander to our wish-fulfilment. There are worse ways to while away a few hours.

6/10