Eat Drink Man Woman

On a tranquil Sunday evening in Taipei, Zhu, a semi-retired chef and widower, sets the stage for an elaborate feast intended for his three daughters. The eldest, Jia-Jen, works as a chemistry teacher and has turned to Christianity after experiencing heartbreak from her college sweetheart. The middle child, Jia-Chien, holds a prominent position as an executive in an airline but had aspirations to follow in her father’s culinary footsteps—a dream he dissuaded her from, believing that being a head chef wasn’t suitable for a woman. Lastly, the youngest daughter, Jia-Ning, is still navigating her college years while juggling a part-time job at a Wendy’s fast food restaurant.

During the dinner, Jia-Chien reveals her plans to invest in a new apartment, which she will move into once construction completes. This surprise is met with unexpected support from Mr. Zhu. However, tensions rise as Jia-Chien criticizes her father’s cooking, claiming that his taste has declined. This remark prompts Mr. Zhu to dismiss her concerns and rush off to assist his long-time friend and food taster, Old Wen, at a banquet. In a reflective moment with Old Wen, he questions whether life holds any significance beyond indulgences in food, drink, and companionship.

The following day brings a visit from family friend Jin-Rong, accompanied by her daughter, Shan-Shan. Jin-Rong shares the burden of a tumultuous divorce while managing responsibilities towards her daughter and her demanding mother, Madame Liang, who has just returned from America. As Jia-Jen offers comfort, Shan-Shan engages in coloring a fun caricature of Mr. Zhu.

When morning arises, Mr. Zhu encounters Shan-Shan and learns about the less-than-desirable lunches her mother has been providing, which prompts his decision to cook for her. In an effort to conceal their secret, Shan-Shan allows him to sample the lunches prepared by her mother. Meanwhile, Jia-Jen finds herself drawn to the new volleyball coach, Ming-Dao; Jia-Chien becomes acquainted with chief negotiator Li Kai during a meeting, where flirtation seems to blossom. She faces an enticing opportunity to relocate to Amsterdam for a potential job promotion. Meanwhile, Jia-Ning crosses paths with Guo-Lun, her friend Rachel’s on-and-off partner. A conversation reveals Guo-Lun’s unfulfilled feelings, and Jia-Ning encourages him to seek true love, paving the way for him to realize he has feelings for her.

As the story unfolds, Old Wen faces hospitalization, while Jia-Jen finds herself misled by love letters from an unknown admirer, leading her to fall for a prank set by her students. Jia-Chien faces disappointment when her apartment investment collapses after discovering the firm defrauded her, alongside the shocking realization that Li Kai—the man she flirts with—was the one who broke her sister’s heart in the past. Jia-Ning grapples with a dilemma as she starts to date Guo-Lun, despite Rachel’s open confession of her feelings for him. Amidst this turmoil, Mr. Zhu’s health begins to falter, and he secretly visits the hospital without his daughters’ knowledge, which Jia-Chien unwittingly witnesses.

Over time, Old Wen passes away, leaving Mr. Zhu to mourn the loss while also coming to terms with the fading of his culinary senses. In a later gathering, Jia-Chien shocks the family by declaring she will no longer move out, while Mr. Zhu reassures her with a comforting demeanor. Soon, Jia-Ning reveals her burgeoning relationship with Guo-Lun, alongside the announcement of her pregnancy. In a moment of joy, Jia-Jen shares her elopement with Ming-Dao, leading to Jia-Jen and Jia-Ning moving out, leaving Mr. Zhu with only Jia-Chien for company. This change stirs concern in Mr. Zhu, prompting him to confide in Madame Liang, raising suspicions among the daughters regarding a potential romance.

As concerns for her father mount, Jia-Chien chooses to decline her job promotion. A significant family gathering occurs with partners and Jin-Rong’s family in attendance for an elaborate Sunday dinner. In a twist, Mr. Zhu announces his engagement—not to Madame Liang, but to Jin-Rong, revealing that his recent hospital visit was merely a ruse to strengthen Madame Liang’s blessing. The surprising revelation leaves everyone in shock, abruptly terminating the dinner.

As life continues, Jia-Ning and Guo-Lun welcome their baby into the world, while Jia-Jen successfully converts Ming-Dao to Christianity. In a bold move, Mr. Zhu sells the family home and relocates to a condo with Jin-Rong and Shan-Shan. Feeling liberated from caregiving responsibilities, Jia-Chien accepts the Amsterdam job offer. Before her departure, she prepares a heartfelt final feast for the family in their original home, yet only Mr. Zhu shows up. In an extraordinary moment, as he savors her cooking, he experiences a revival of his once-lost sense of taste. The two share a touching scene in the dining room, where they embrace their roles as “Father” and “Daughter,” signifying the unbreakable bond they share.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:26