IS BEAUTY REALLY A VIRTUE?

The question arises after having watched a French film about a woman that loses her husband and finds love with another man. A quite simple and ungraceful man, but really kind, loving and gentle. Would one rather choose a beautiful man over a kind, delicate one? Why? This film, based on a novel strikes one of the most important and handed over values, or virtues or qualities a loved person apparently must have: beauty. Is beauty as such really necessary?