I woke this morning feeling unrested. Tired. I have wanted to see the acclaimed film The Taste of Things by Trǎn Anh Hùng for some time now, as I am already a fan of his work, so today I took the morning off and watched it before I began my day.
From Wikipedia:
“Hung has been at the forefront of a wave of acclaimed overseas Vietnamese cinema over the past two decades. His films have received international fame and acclaim, and his first three features were varied meditations on life in his home country of Vietnam.
Hung's Oscar-nominated debut (for Best Foreign Film) was The Scent of Green Papaya (1993), which also won two top prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. His follow-up Cyclo (1995, which featured Hong Kong movie star Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.[14] The Vertical Ray of the Sun, released in 2000, was the third film in his "Vietnam trilogy."
After a sabbatical, Hung returned with the noir psychological thriller I Come with the Rain (2009), which featured a star-studded international cast including Josh Hartnett and Elias Koteas.[16]
Hung directed Norwegian Wood,an adaptation of Haruki Murakami's novel of the same name, which was released in Japan in December 2010.”
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I was utterly enchanted by the film, which elegantly intertwined the culinary arts with the delicate nuances of human relationships. It was presented on Amazon Prime entirely in French without subtitles. Although my French skills are severely lacking in expertise, I had no difficulty understanding it, probably because of my love of the culinary arts more than my knowledge of the French language.
The historical romantic drama is set in 1889. It explores the profound bond between Dodin Bouffant, a renowned gourmet, and Eugénie, his fabulous cook, portrayed by Benoît Magimel and Juliette Binoche, respectively.
I am most taken by the film’s beauty, which lies in its meticulous attention to detail, both in the kitchen and in portraying its characters’ relationships. The manner in which each meal was prepared is captured with fantastic authenticity and reverence that it becomes a metaphor for love itself. Generally speaking, this is how I view cooking anyway.
Jonathan Ricquebourg’s cinematography and the production design by Toma Baquéni immersed me in a bygone era, where the kitchen became a stage for both culinary and romantic artistry. It was the ultimate in escapism.
The Taste of Things premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where Trân Anh Hùng won the Best Director award. It was also France’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the Best International Feature Film category at this year’s Oscars and made the 15-film shortlist. Despite its critical acclaim, it did not receive an Oscar nomination, which I consider a genuine travesty. However, it continues to be celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship and emotional resonance.
The budget for this visually sumptuous film is estimated to be around €10 million. I felt that every single frame in the film was worth the investment. Each scene was magnificently curated to perfection. Viewing each was like a visual representation of the gourmet dishes it so lovingly depicted. It is a testament to the power of food to connect people, to heal us, and to tell our most intimate stories.
In the film, Dodin Bouffant is portrayed as the ‘Napoleon of the culinary arts,’ Eugénue’s exceptional cooking skills significantly bolster his culinary reputation. Their relationship transcends the professional sphere, blending seamlessly into their personal lives as they work together to create culinary masterpieces.
The narrative delves into their mutual respect and affection, highlighted by their nightly companionship and the tender care Dodin showed toward Eugénie, especially as her health began to decline.
Set against the backdrop of the Loire Valley, the film explores themes of love, respect, and the joy of creation. Dodin’s numerous marriage proposals to Eugénie and her consistent rejections underscore the delicate balance they maintain between their personal and professional lives. The story further enriches itself by introducing Pauline, a young farmhand with a refined palate, suggesting a passing of the culinary torch to the next generation.
Through the meticulous depiction of food preparation and the serene ambiance of their shared life, the film presents a narrative that is as much about the art of cooking as it is about the deep, unspoken bond between two individuals.
This film resonated deeply with me due to my profound love for the art of cooking. It goes beyond merely showcasing culinary skills and dives into what makes cooking a form of intimate expression and connection. Watching Dodin and Eugénie’s meticulous preparation of meals, their unspoken communication through their hard passion for food, and how their relationship is interwoven with their culinary creations reminds me of why I cherish cooking as much as I do. It is about nourishing the body and creating moments of love, care, and artistry. The film’s exquisite portrayal of these themes touches the core of my experience and emotions in the kitchen, making it an unforgettable cinematic experience.