As I pondered what movie I wanted to see this weekend, my choices were limited. I have a somewhat unnatural craving for watching quality movies, so when I looked at the ads for the new flick “The Hundred Foot Journey”, I knew I was in for a treat.

This delightful little feel-good tale tells about two competing restaurants in a small village in France. This tied into my passion for food as well as tasteful, unusual gems that quietly slip from the shallow commerciality of Hollywood from time to time.

France, being considered to be the culinary capital of the world by most, provided a picturesque and humble atmosphere for this energetic film. With colorful and lively characters, director Lasse Hallström creates a pleasing dramedy (drama/comedy) about people coming together for good food and almost-friendly competition.

At first glance, “The Hundred Foot Journey” (THFJ) looks like your typical rom-com snorefest that girlfriends will forever drag their groaning boyfriends to, along with a box of 3-ply tissues. This movie was not that. With a charming warmth and fascinating cinematography, the screenplay is different from the ordinary, comfortable grey we’re used to seeing.

If you don’t really care about the mood or feelings brought on by this film, there are also the layered characters that you might enjoy as much as I did. Not often do you see characters that take such pleasure in doing what they love, even if it is simply pouring over a recipe until they get it just right.

This passion is quite refreshing, and offers the theme that if you play your cards right, going to work is not work if you enjoy yourself while doing it. As teens in high school, I think we all hope to find a niche that can make us feel as happy as the folks in THFJ