145. The Taste Of Things (La passion de Dodin Bouffant); movie review

 

THE TASTE OF THINGS (LA PASSION DE DODIN BOUFFANT)

Cert 12A

135 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate nudity

I love Juliette Binoche's work and admire that of her ex-husband, Benoît Magimel, but despite their headline slots, they were mere support in The Taste Of Things.

This is because the eye is devoted to the sumptuous food served in Trần Anh Hùng's movie.

Never before have I seen such an array of mouthwatering dishes prepared in the finest detail by a cook (Binoche) and her gourmet lover, Dodin (Magimel).

From the seafood val-au-vent whose pastry defies gravity to the turbot, coddled in a milk bath, each course is a work of art.

The movie is set in the 1880s on a French country estate, a time when French cuisine was at its peak and the country's upper class indulged in lavish meals, complemented by the finest wines.. 

The pair are renowned in high society for their culinary prowess, adding a layer of prestige and pressure to their work.

Binoche's character, Eugénie, avoids small talk and prefers to eat with her assistant (Galatéa Bellugi) in the kitchen.

But mutual appreciation of each other's culinary skills and understanding of food creates a gentle but deep love between the cook and her boss. 

Their relationship is not just about food, but also about their shared passion and respect for each other's craft.

However, their idyllic world is abruptly disrupted when Eugénie starts to experience unexplained fainting episodes, a turn of events that adds a layer of suspense to the narrative.

Every element of The Taste Of Things is beautiful, from the leads and their apprentice (Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire) to the fantastic dishes.

The sets are to die for, and even the gardens are gorgeous as the love overflows out of the house towards nature.

It is undoubtedly a case of how the other half lived and I was happy to bathe in it for an hour and a half.

Now, what's for dinner?

Reasons to watch: Food glorious food

Reasons to avoid: Fairly slow going

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Bare bums

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel were partners from 1998 to 2003 and have a daughter together.

The final word. Trần Anh Hùng: "What I love in films and in life is to see people working, to see their labour. This is something that will always be beautiful to me, to see hands at work."  

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