Some films demand your full attention; The Taste of Things invites you to simply sit and savour. The first 30 minutes alone are dedicated to the preparation, eating, and discussion of a meal. It’s a mostly silent dance as the cook and her assistants dance effortless around a vast farmhouse kitchen, and I could have easily watched it for longer.
Set in 19th-century France, Trần Anh Hùng’s film isn’t just about cooking; it’s about devotion. The central relationship is between chef Eugénie (Juliette Binoche) and Dodin (Benoît Magimel) her boss, but her equal. Their companionship unfolds through their shared love of food, each dish a quiet declaration of intimacy. There’s a warmth to their dynamic, an unspoken understanding that simmers just beneath the surface.
I will admit to becoming increasingly disappointed with my store bought soup while I devoured The Taste of Things, but the movie was more than just a feast for the sense. It makes you want to be deeply passionate about something – whether it’s cooking, art or simply the pursuit of creating something beautiful.
Don’t expect a dicey drama or a spicy romance, The Taste of Things moves at an unhurried pace, gently simmering as it layers its characters with depth and quiet emotional weight. The story itself is but a small component in the larger sensory experience, but the base flavours of passion, commitment and legacy, I’ll be savouring for a long time to come.
Click here to sign up for Mubi, using my referral link and get 30 days free.
Any thoughts on the film?