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The Taste of Things

From Alfawiki
The Taste of Things
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2023
FounderTrần Anh Hùng
ProductsHistorical romantic drama film

The Taste of Things (), initially known as The Pot-au-Feu, is a French historical romantic drama from 2023, both written and directed by Trần Anh Hùng. The film features performances by Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel.

Set in the year 1889, the story explores the romantic connection between a chef and the gourmet he serves. The character of the gourmet draws inspiration from Dodin-Bouffant, a figure created by Swiss writer Marcel Rouff in his 1924 novel (The Passionate Epicure).

The movie debuted on 24 May 2023 at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the prestigious Palme d'Or. At this event, Tran Anh Hung received the Best Director accolade. The film was later released in France on 8 November 2023. It was also chosen as France’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. To date, it has earned $10.5 million globally.

Plot

In 1889, on a rural estate in France, Eugénie serves as the cook for Dodin, a gourmand who deeply values her culinary expertise. Eugénie, Dodin, her assistant Violette, and Violette’s niece Pauline collaborate to prepare an elaborate meal for Dodin’s circle of friends, who frequently convene to admire and celebrate Eugénie’s skill. Their enthusiasm stands in stark contrast to their dissatisfaction with a flamboyant eight-hour feast prepared by a visiting prince’s chef.

Eugénie and Dodin, both middle-aged and involved in a long-standing romantic partnership, maintain separate sleeping quarters. Although Dodin has proposed marriage multiple times, Eugénie prefers to keep their current dynamic. They share happiness in developing new dishes together. Eugénie suggests mentoring Pauline, who exhibits promising culinary talent; however, Pauline’s parents refuse this opportunity. Dodin intends to host the prince for a meal featuring the traditional dish pot-au-feu.

After Eugénie experiences several fainting episodes that concern Dodin, his physician friend Rabaz conducts examinations but finds no medical cause. Eugénie insists she is healthy despite these incidents. Following another episode, Dodin prepares an elaborate meal culminating with an engagement ring concealed within the dessert; Eugénie accepts his proposal, and they plan to wed in what they call the “autumn of their lives.” Tragically, one morning Dodin discovers that Eugénie has passed away peacefully during her sleep.

Grieving profoundly, Dodin refuses to eat. Pauline’s parents inform him that she wishes to study under his guidance, but he initially declines. When friends send a cook to prepare an omelette that Eugénie frequently made, Dodin angrily dismisses them. Over time, with Pauline’s assistance, he begins interviewing cooks for the prince’s forthcoming menu. After several unsuccessful attempts, a friend introduces them to a promising dish from a local cook. Dodin and Pauline meet this individual. A flashback reveals Eugénie asking whether she is considered his cook or wife; Dodin responds that she is his cook, which satisfies her.

Cast

Production

Filming took place primarily at the Château du Raguin located in Chazé-sur-Argos, Maine-et-Loire, during April and May of 2022. Renowned French chef Pierre Gagnaire acted as culinary director and also appeared briefly portraying the visiting prince’s chef. Lead actors Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel previously had a personal relationship from 1998 to 2003 and share a daughter together.

Release

Chosen to vie for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the film made its debut on 24 May 2023. It was subsequently showcased in the 'Icon' category at the 28th Busan International Film Festival, where it was screened on 6 October 2023.

The French theatrical release, handled by Gaumont, occurred on 8 November 2023. In the United States, IFC Films and Sapan Studio secured distribution rights, leading to a limited release beginning 9 February 2024, followed by a nationwide expansion on 14 February.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 97% approval rating based on 192 critic reviews, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10. The critical consensus describes it as "As epicurean as French haute cuisine, The Taste of Things indulges our palates with an exquisite seven-course love story for the soul." On Metacritic, it has garnered a weighted average score of 85 from 43 critics, signifying "universal acclaim." Meanwhile, AlloCiné reports an average rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars from 33 French critics.

Vanity Fair praised the film highly. The New York Times emphasized its harmonious mix of "joy and sorrow, humor and intensity, beauty and light and shadow," calling it a perfectly balanced cinematic experience. RogerEbert.com commended the film for striking "a delicate balance" that "feels like a magic trick."

Selected as France’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, it advanced to the shortlist of 15 films.

In June 2025, IndieWire positioned it at number 33 in their compilation of "The 100 Best Movies of the 2020s (So Far)."

Accolades

Award Ceremony Date Category Nominee(s) Outcome
Academy Awards 10 March 2024 Best International Feature Film The Taste of Things Template:Sho Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 17 January 2024 Best Actress Juliette Binoche Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Template:Nom
Astra Film Awards 6 January 2024 Best International Actress Juliette Binoche Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best International Feature The Taste of Things Template:Nom
Best International Filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng Template:Nom
Boston Society of Film Critics 10 December 2023 Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Template:Won Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Trần Anh Hùng Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Director Template:Won
César Awards 23 February 2024 Best Costume Design Tran Nu Yên Khé Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Best Production Design Toma Baquéni Template:Nom
Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Template:Nom
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 14 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 18 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Template:Runner-up Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Denver Film Critics Society 12 January 2024 Best Non-English Language Feature Template:Nom Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
Georgia Film Critics Association 5 January 2024 "Best International Film" "Template:Nom"
Gotham Awards Gotham Independent Film Awards 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance Juliette Binoche Template:Nom
IndieWire Critics Poll 11 December 2023 Best International Film The Taste of Things Template:Draw\6th Place
Lumière Awards 29th Lumière Awards Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Template:Won
Mill Valley Film Festival 16 October 2023 Audience Award – World Cinema The Taste of Things Template:Won
Miskolc International Film Festival 9 September 2023 Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Feature Film Template:Nom
Montclair Film Festival 20 October 2023 Audience Award – World Cinema The Taste of Things Template:Won
fr:North Texas Film Critics Association 18 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Template:Nom
Palm Springs International Film Festival 15 January 2024 Best International Feature Film Template:Nom
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Template:Nom
San Sebastián International Film Festival 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival Culinary Zinema Best Film Award Template:Win
Satellite Awards 28th Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Juliette Binoche Template:Nom
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Template:Nom


See also

External links

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