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The Taste of Things

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The Taste of Things
Theatrical release poster
FrenchLa Passion de Dodin Bouffant
LiterallyThe Passion of Dodin Bouffant
Directed byTrần Anh Hùng
Written byTrần Anh Hùng
Produced byOlivier Delbosc
Starring
CinematographyJonathan Ricquebourg
Edited byMario Battistel
Production
companies
Distributed byGaumont
Release dates
  • 24 May 2023 (2023-05-24) (Cannes)
  • 8 November 2023 (2023-11-08) (France)
Running time
134 minutes[1]
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench
Box office$10.5 million[2][3]

The Taste of Things (French: La Passion de Dodin Bouffant, lit. 'The Passion of Dodin Bouffant'), previously titled The Pot-au-Feu,[4] is a 2023 French historical romantic drama film written and directed by Trần Anh Hùng starring Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel.

Set in 1889, it depicts a romance between a cook and the gourmet she works for.[5] The character of the gourmet is based on Dodin-Bouffant, created by Swiss author Marcel Rouff in his 1924 novel La Vie et la passion de Dodin-Bouffant, gourmet (The Passionate Epicure).[6]

The film premiered on 24 May 2023 at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, and was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in its main competition section, where Tran Anh Hung won the Best Director award. It was released in France on 8 November 2023. The film was chosen as the French entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[7][8]

Synopsis

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On a country estate in France in 1889, Eugénie works as a cook for Dodin, a gourmet who delights in her cooking. Eugénie and Dodin, along with her assistant Violette and Violette's young niece Pauline, who is visiting for the day, prepare an intricate meal for Dodin's friends. The group meets regularly to eat and enjoy food and respect Eugénie for her artistry. Their appreciation for her cooking is contrasted with their disappointment in a garish and discordant eight-hour meal prepared by a visiting prince's chef to which they are invited.

Eugénie and Dodin, both middle-aged, are in a long-term romantic relationship, but maintain separate bedrooms; he has asked her to marry him several times, but she declines, preferring that they stay as they are. They find joy in developing new recipes and preparations together. Eugénie suggests to the parents of Pauline, who has considerable gastronomic talent for a child, that she trains Pauline as a cook, but they demur. Dodin plans to invite the prince to a meal for which he will prepare a menu revolving around a classical, yet poor, dish, the pot-au-feu.

Eugénie experiences several fainting spells, and Dodin grows worried about her health. His doctor friend, Rabaz, is unable to determine the cause, and Eugénie persistently claims she is fine. After one such episode, he cooks an intricate meal for her with great dedication and concludes with an engagement ring hidden in a dessert. She finally accepts Dodin's proposal, and they plan to marry in the "autumn of their lives". However, one morning, Dodin wakes to find that Eugénie has died in her sleep.

He mourns her and becomes melancholic, refusing to eat. Pauline's parents arrive to inform him that Pauline, also affected by the death of Eugénie, is intent on learning from him, but he refuses. When his friends send a cook to cook him an omelette that Eugénie had often made him, he sends the cook away in fury. Eventually, he begins interviewing cooks to work for him and prepare the prince's menu, assisted by Pauline. After several unsuccessful interviews, one of his friends brings him a dish made by a cook working nearby. Excited, Dodin and his friend go to meet the cook, bringing Pauline along. In a flashback, Eugénie and Dodin discuss their relationship, and she asks if she is his cook or his wife. He replies that she is his cook, to her satisfaction.

Cast

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Juliette Binoche, 2022
Benoit Magimel, 2015
Juliette Binoche, 2022 (left) and Benoit Magimel, 2015 (right)

Production

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The film was shot primarily at the Château du Raguin [fr] in Chazé-sur-Argos, Maine-et-Loire,[9] in April and May 2022.[10][11] French chef Pierre Gagnaire served as culinary director while also appearing in the film in the small role of the visiting prince's chef.[12] Co-stars Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel were partners from 1998 to 2003 and have a daughter together.[13]

Release

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The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival,[14] where it had its world premiere on 24 May 2023.[15] It was also invited at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in 'Icon' section and was screened on 6 October 2023.[16]

It was theatrically released in France by Gaumont on 8 November 2023.[17] IFC Films and Sapan Studio jointly acquired the U.S. distribution rights and are scheduled to give the film a limited theatrical release on 9 February 2024, before expanding wide on 14 February.[18][19]

Reception

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Critical response

[edit]

On Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of 192 critic reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "As epicurean as French haute cuisine, The Taste of Things indulges our palates with an exquisite seven-course love story for the soul."[20] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 43 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[21] On AlloCiné, the film received an average rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 33 reviews from French critics.[22]

Vanity Fair reported that the film received critical acclaim.[23] The New York Times described the film as having "elements of joy and sorrow, humor and intensity, beauty and light and shadow combine in a perfectly balanced experience".[24] RogerEbert.com remarked that the film "achieved...a delicate balance" that "feels like a magic trick".[25]

The film was selected as the French entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards,[26] and made the 15-film shortlist.[27]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards 10 March 2024 Best International Feature Film The Taste of Things Shortlisted [28]
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 17 January 2024 Best Actress Juliette Binoche Nominated [29]
[30]
Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Nominated
Astra Film Awards 6 January 2024 Best International Actress Juliette Binoche Nominated [31]
Best International Feature The Taste of Things Nominated
Best International Filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics 10 December 2023 Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Won [32]
Cannes Film Festival 27 May 2023 Palme d'Or Trần Anh Hùng Nominated [33]
Best Director Won
César Awards 23 February 2024 Best Costume Design Tran Nu Yên Khé Nominated [34]
Best Production Design Toma Baquéni Nominated
Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 14 January 2024 Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Nominated [35]
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 18 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film 3rd Place [36]
Denver Film Critics Society 12 January 2024 Best Non-English Language Feature Nominated [37]
Georgia Film Critics Association 5 January 2024 Best International Film Nominated [38]
[39]
Gotham Awards 27 November 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance Juliette Binoche Nominated [40]
IndieWire Critics Poll 11 December 2023 Best International Film The Taste of Things 6th Place [41]
Lumières Award 22 January 2024 Best Cinematography Jonathan Ricquebourg Won [42]
Mill Valley Film Festival 16 October 2023 Audience Award – World Cinema The Taste of Things Won [43]
Miskolc International Film Festival 9 September 2023 Emeric Pressburger Prize for Best Feature Film Nominated [44]
Montclair Film Festival 20 October 2023 Audience Award – World Cinema Won [45]
North Texas Film Critics Association 18 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film Nominated [46]
Palm Springs International Film Festival 15 January 2024 Best International Feature Film Nominated [47]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle 9 January 2024 Best International Feature Film Nominated [48]
San Sebastián International Film Festival 30 September 2023 Culinary Zinema Best Film Award Won [49]
Satellite Awards 18 February 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Juliette Binoche Nominated [50]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 10 December 2023 Best Foreign Language Film The Taste of Things Nominated [51]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "LA PASSION DE DODIN BOUFFANT". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  2. ^ "The Taste of Things (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  3. ^ "The Taste of Things (2023)". The Numbers. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  4. ^ Davis, Clayton (16 August 2023). "French Oscar Hopeful 'The Pot-au-Feu' With Juliette Binoche Gets New Title Ahead of U.S. Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (19 April 2022). "Gaumont Launches Sales for Juliette Binoche, Benoit Magimel Film 'The Pot Au Feu' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  6. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (26 November 2017). "Singapore: Tran Anh Hung Sets Gastronomy Film 'Dodin-Bouffant' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Oscars: France Submits 'The Taste Of Things' For Best International Feature Film As Hot Favorite 'Anatomy Of A Fall' Shut Out". Deadline. 21 September 2023.
  8. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (4 October 2023). "'The Taste of Things' Trailer: Juliette Binoche Savors a New Romance in France's Oscar Submission". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  9. ^ Esseul, Emmanuel (3 June 2023). "Un film primé à Cannes tourné dans ce château du Maine-et-Loire". Ouest-France. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  10. ^ Esseul, Emmanuel (29 April 2022). "Comment s'est concrétisé le tournage d'un film avec le duo Binoche – Magimel en Anjou ?". Ouest-France. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  11. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (17 May 2022). "Juliette Binoche's Sensual Period Romance 'The Pot Au Feu' Sells to Major Territories for Gaumont (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  12. ^ Leffler, Rebecca (24 May 2023). "French chef Pierre Gagnaire brings the heat to Cannes Competition title 'The Pot Au Feu'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Qui est Hana Magimel, la fille de Juliette Binoche et Benoît Magimel ?". Elle (in French). 9 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  14. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (13 April 2023). "Cannes Film Festival Lineup: Haynes, Anderson, Glazer, Kore-Eda, Wenders In Competition – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  15. ^ mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  16. ^ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Quelles dates de sortie en salle pour les films sélectionnés à Cannes ?". Boxoffice Pro (in French). 1 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  18. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (13 June 2023). "Sapan Studios, IFC Films Buy Tran Anh Hung's Cannes Prizewinner 'The Pot-au-Feu' for the U.S. (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Trailer Watch: The Taste of Things". Filmmaker. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  20. ^ "The Taste of Things". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  21. ^ "The Taste of Things". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Critiques Presse pour le film La Passion de Dodin Bouffant". AlloCiné (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Oscar Surprise: France Picks 'The Taste of Things' Over 'Anatomy of a Fall' for International Feature". Vanity Fair. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  24. ^ Wilkinson, Alissa (4 January 2024). "One Indelible Scene: A Lovingly Prepared Meal in 'The Taste of Things'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  25. ^ O'Malley, Sheila (6 February 2024). "The Taste of Things movie review (2023)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  26. ^ Loayza, Beatrice (9 November 2023). "The Sensory Transcendence of a French Meal, via the Big Screen". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  27. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (21 December 2023). "2024 Oscar Shortlists Unveiled: 'Barbie,' 'Poor Things,' 'Maestro,' and 'The Zone of Interest' Make the Cut". IndieWire. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  28. ^ Pond, Steve (21 December 2023). "'The Taste of Things,' 'The Zone of Interest' Make Heavily European Shortlist in Oscars International Category". TheWrap. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  29. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (9 January 2024). "Oppenheimer Leads Nominations for 2024 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  30. ^ Pedersen, Erik; Petski, Denise (17 January 2024). "Killers Of The Flower Moon Wins Best Picture At AARP Movies For Grownups Awards: Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  31. ^ Anderson, Erik (7 December 2023). "'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  32. ^ Anderson, Erik (10 December 2023). "2023 Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC): 'The Holdovers' Wins Best Film, Actor, Supporting Actress, Screenplay". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Awards 2023". Cannes Film Festival. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
    Tartaglione, Nancy (27 May 2023). "Cannes Film Festival: Justine Triet's 'Anatomy Of A Fall' Wins Palme D'Or; Third Woman Ever To Take Top Prize". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  34. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (24 January 2024). "The Animal Kingdom Leads Nominations For France's 2024 César Awards, Followed By Anatomy of a Fall – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  35. ^ Nolfi, Joey (13 December 2023). "2024 Critics Choice Awards film nominations: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  36. ^ Jorgenson, Todd (18 December 2023). "DFW Film Critics Name The Holdovers Best Picture of 2023". Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  37. ^ Neglia, Matt (12 January 2024). "The 2023 Denver Film Critics Society (DFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  38. ^ Neglia, Matt (29 December 2023). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  39. ^ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  40. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (24 October 2023). "Gotham Awards Nominations: 'All of Us Strangers' Tops Movie List; Ryan Gosling Gets 'Barbie' Nom With Budget Caps Removed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
    Davis, Clayton; Lang, Brent (24 October 2023). "Gotham Awards Nominations: 'All of Us Strangers' Leads With Four Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  41. ^ Blauvelt, Christian (11 December 2023). "2023 Critics Poll: The Best Films and Performances, According to 158 Critics from Around the World". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  42. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (22 January 2024). "'Anatomy of a Fall' Wins Best Film, Actress, Screenplay at France's Lumiere Awards". Variety. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  43. ^ Anderson, Erik (17 October 2023). "'American Fiction,' 'Rustin,' 'The Taste of Things,' 'Radical' Win 46th Mill Valley Film Festival Audience Awards". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
    "46th Mill Valley Film Festival Wraps With Maestro" (PDF). Mill Valley Film Festival. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  44. ^ FNE Staff (17 August 2023). "FESTIVALS: CineFest Miskolc International Film Festival 2023 Announces Lineup". Film New Europe Association. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  45. ^ "2023 Montclair Film Festival Award Winners Announced! | Montclair Film". Montclair Film Festival. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  46. ^ Neglia, Matt (18 December 2023). "The 2023 North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  47. ^ Wu, Valerie (5 December 2023). "Palm Springs International Film Festival to Open With 'Wicked Little Letters,' Full Lineup Announced". Variety. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
    Brew, Caroline (14 January 2024). "'Four Daughters,' 'The Zone of Interest' Among Palm Springs 2024 Jury Award Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  48. ^ Neglia, Matt (5 January 2024). "The 2023 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  49. ^ Tinoco, Armando (30 September 2023). "San Sebastian Film Festival Winners: Jaione Camborda's 'The Rye Horn' Takes Golden Shell For Best Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  50. ^ "2023 Nominees | International Press Academy". Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  51. ^ Neglia, Matt (9 December 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
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