Today, the landscape of cinema faces challenges from agendas promoting division and degeneracy. Unfortunately, filmmakers often succumb to the pressure and adhere to politically correct standards and check boxes. However, amid this dire backdrop, there are glimmers of hope as audiences gravitate toward more traditional films again.
With a deep appreciation for French culture, language, cuisine, and history, I’ve long held a special fondness for French cinema. I find solace and hope in the French prowess for storytelling, so I here recommend one of my top picks for 2023.
My selection is director-screenwriter Tran Anh Hung’s captivating period romance “The Taste of Things,” originally titled “La Passion de Dodin Bouffant.” This exquisite film triumphed over Justine Triet’s Cannes-winning “Anatomy of a Fall” to secure its position as France’s official Oscar contender.
Great Storytelling
Set in 1885, the film portrays the enduring romance between gourmet cook Eugénie (Juliette Binoche) and Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel), the gourmand who appreciates her exquisite culinary creations. Based on the novel “La Vie et la Passion de Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet” by Marcel Rouff, this sumptuous masterpiece delves into the world of French cuisine with passion.Director Hung skillfully highlights Eugénie’s impressive culinary skills as she, alongside her assistant Violette (Galatéa Bellugi) and her talented niece Pauline (Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire), orchestrates a culinary masterpiece. With refined precision, she maneuvers between various kitchen accessories, crafting a diverse array of delicacies. It’s a captivating spectacle that establishes the film’s tone.
Dodin and Eugénie have lived together for numerous years at his château, but they sleep in separate beds. Despite his repeated proposals of marriage, she declines, preferring to maintain their current arrangement.
As a renowned gourmet, Dodin frequently entertains a circle of friends and business associates who eagerly anticipate the dishes that Eugénie meticulously prepares for them. Despite the guests’ insistence that she join them in their meals, she prefers to remain on the sidelines, content in her role behind the scenes.
However, Eugénie’s quiet nature may have deeper roots than mere humility. Just as it seems that a more enduring union between the long-time friends and lovers is in the cards, trouble looms on the horizon. Eugénie experiences an increasing number of dizzy spells.
Like many other French films, this one features a simple storyline that belies its fascinating, complex characters and their intentions. The dialogue between Ms. Binoche and Mr. Magimel is minimum, while their character’s actions take center stage.
Mr. Hung’s penchant for visual storytelling fits well here, since without relying on dialogue, he’s free to paint languorous scenes with nothing but body language and facial expressions. It’s all quite calming and earthy.
“The Taste of Things” is a sumptuous, nuanced, and gorgeous portrait of love that delights with every frame. Mr. Hung took home the Best Director award from the 76th Cannes Film Festival for it, and it’s easy to see why. The romance will leave you breathless, the food is shot with such care and grace that you can almost smell it, and the chemistry between leads Ms. Binoche and Mr. Magimel is absolutely enchanting. If it doesn’t make you cry big, happy tears, nothing will.
