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Manu (Lambert Wilson) is a pediatrician who longs to be a father, even if it means splitting up with his long-term boyfriend, Philippe (Pascal Elbé), who doesn’t want a child. As gay adoption isn’t a practical option in France, Manu tries to persuade Fina (Pilar López de Ayala), an illegal Argentinean immigrant who he chanced upon in a minor car accident, into a marriage of convenience. In exchange for a work permit, all she needs to do is to be a surrogate mother – and preferably bugger off when the baby is in the pram. (Seems reasonable, right?) But will Fina take part in his crazy plan? Will Philippe have a miraculous change of heart? Will the three develop into an unlikely love triangle? Do you really have to ask?

As formulaic as it can possibly be, Baby Love is the type of rom-com that suggests it only ever rains when two nice people break up, and that characters inevitably reserve their embarrassing dialogue for the most crowded of public spaces. More bewildering, in comparison, is the way the movie turns its focus from potential obstacles of gay adoption to Manu’s growing suspicion that he may be a closet straight. (Alright, Ayala is a darling – but still…) It is the privilege of romantic comedies to pretend that whatever happens in the last frames must be taken as a happy ending; but the resolution’s clear preference for ‘political correctness’ over the characters’ actual on-screen dynamic may leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Edmund Lee

Dir Vincent Garenq, Category IIA, 94 mins, opens Thursday 12