The Taste of Things
The Taste of Things is a 2023 French historical romantic drama film written and directed by Trần Anh Hùng.
The Taste of Things is a 2023 French historical romantic drama film written and directed by Trần Anh Hùng. Set in late 19th-century France, it stars Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel as a cook and a gourmet whose personal and culinary lives are closely intertwined.
Plot
The film follows Dodin Bouffant and Eugénie, whose shared life revolves around cooking, dining, and an enduring romantic connection. Promotional material describes Dodin deciding to cook for Eugénie after she refuses to marry him.
Production and source material
Trần Anh Hùng wrote and directed the film, drawing on Marcel Rouff's 1924 novel about Dodin-Bouffant. The film reworks the source material into a late-19th-century French culinary romance.
Release and reception
The film premiered in 2023 and received attention for its long, sensuous cooking scenes and painterly visual style. It was released in North America in early 2024 according to several listings and reviews.
Accolades
Coverage indicates that the film won the Best Director award at Cannes and was selected as France's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Key facts
- The film was previously titled "The Pot-au-Feu" and is known in French as "La Passion de Dodin Bouffant".
- Set in France in 1889, the story focuses on gastronomy, love, and domestic life.
- Juliette Binoche plays Eugénie, an esteemed cook, and Benoît Magimel plays Dodin, a gourmet chef.
- The film is adapted by Trần Anh Hùng from Marcel Rouff's novel.
- Reviews note the film's unusual emphasis on food preparation and kitchen work as a dramatic subject.
Canadian audiences may know the film through its North American release by IFC Films and through coverage in Canadian outlets reviewing its festival and theatrical run.[3][8]
Frequently asked questions
What is The Taste of Things?
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What is the original French title?
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Taste_of_ThingsSupports: Title, alternate titles, year, country, genre, cast, and source material.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19760052/Supports: Plot premise, cast, and relationship between the main characters.
- IFC Films (YouTube trailer) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKKCGtoIOVYSupports: Setting in 1889, character names, and plot setup involving Dodin and Eugénie.
- RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-taste-of-things-film-review-2023Supports: Adaptation from Marcel Rouff's novel and film style/structure.
- The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/the-taste-of-things-review-this-gastronomic-french-tale-is-a-feast-for-the-senses-216035Supports: Director, Cannes recognition, France's Oscar submission, setting, and source inspiration.
- British Film Institute — https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/taste-things-tran-anh-hungs-elegant-gastro-film-feast-sensesSupports: Adaptation from Marcel Rouff, relationship to Brillat-Savarin, and critical description.
- KQED — https://www.kqed.org/arts/13951896/the-taste-of-things-juliette-binoche-food-movie-reviewSupports: Fictional premise, source novel context, and release timing in the U.S.
- Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-taste-of-thingsSupports: Setting, cast, genre, runtime, and North American release information.