The Taste of Things: Review
By Sioph Leal
France in 1885, The Taste of Things showcases the bond between cook Eugénie (Juliette Binoche) and her famous gastronome boss, Dodin (Benoît Magimel), and how their twenty-year fondness inspires their dishes and impresses the most illustrious of chefs. Dodin and Eugénie’s close bond and exquisite dishes are the centre of attention, while their blossoming romance shifts when Eugénie refuses Dodin’s commitment.
The opening sequence of The Taste of Things is perfectly shot, and though it has barely any lines for the characters, it encapsulates the bustling environment of a kitchen through the sounds of food simmering in posts while Dodin occasionally tests the knowledge of his newest culinary apprentice. While the opening scene has no score, the noise of the kitchen and the intricacies of the kitchen and how it works will keep any viewer enthralled.
Written and directed by Trần Anh Hùng, The Taste of Things explores the appreciation for beauty while telling the delicious, savoury, but complicated love story of Eugénie and Dodin. The writing, directing, acting, and cinematography all come together like a perfect recipe, balanced to perfection, making The Taste of Things a contender for one of the best food and romance movies that has been made.
Though this movie is a romance, Eugénie and Dodin’s love is expressed through their cooking, where they are comfortable and familiar with each other. The pair work in tandem, creating mouth-watering dishes, but their relationship is being tested by Dodin’s desire for more in their relationship and Eugénie's desire to keep her independence. Their connection is made, but it will leave you questioning if Dodin truly loves Eugénie or if it was her skill that he was enamoured with. Perhaps it was both, but that idea is merely flirted with as they create their mouth-watering dishes.
The Taste of Things is more than a film about food; it’s a piece of media that showcases the love language of food that is elevated by Binoche and Magimel’s endearing performances, whose chemistry is ardent and intricate with every interaction that makes The Taste of Things feel more like a romantic drama. As the dishes are made, the bond between Eugénie and Dodin becomes more evident and feels more intimate and bordering on erotic as each dish ends. While Eugénie refuses Dodin’s frequent marriage proposals, their shared love of food goes beyond matrimony, leaving you fully satisfied once the movie ends.
A Taste of Things releases in the UK, Feb 14th 2024.