The Taste of Things

The Taste of Things

Year: 2023

Runtime: 2 h 25 m

Language: French

Director: Anh Hung Tran

Echo Score: 83

Budget: $6.5M

DramaHistoryRomance

In 1885, Eugenie is a celebrated chef with a long-standing, close relationship with gourmet Dodin. Their shared passion for culinary excellence has fostered a deep admiration and understanding between them, which unexpectedly evolves into a romantic connection. As their bond deepens, they inspire each other to create extraordinary dishes that challenge conventional culinary expectations.

Bittersweet
Bittersweet ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Slow pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Taste of Things (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Taste of Things (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1889

The film takes place in the late 19th century, a period marked by significant cultural and social changes in France. This era saw the rise of culinary arts, emphasizing fine dining and the appreciation of gastronomy, making it an ideal time for the story of Eugénie and Dodin.

Location

France

Set in a serene country estate in France, the movie showcases the beauty of the French countryside, embodying the essence of gastronomy and traditional cooking. This region is famed for its culinary heritage and charming landscapes, providing a fitting backdrop for the intricate meals and emotional journey of the characters.

🇫🇷 Country 🌳 Estate

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Main Characters – The Taste of Things (2023)

Meet the key characters of The Taste of Things (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Eugénie (Juliette Binoche)

Eugénie is a talented cook whose artistry and passion for food earn her the admiration of those around her. Despite her deep bond with Dodin, she grapples with commitment and the implications of their relationship, ultimately leading to her tragic fate. Her strength and resilience shine through her culinary creations, reflecting her complex character.

👩‍🍳 Cook ❤️ Love 😢 Tragedy

Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel)

Dodin is a gourmet who adores Eugénie's cooking and appreciates her talent. His longing for a deeper commitment is juxtaposed with Eugénie's reluctance, showcasing a sense of conflict in their relationship. His character evolves from a blissful lover to a melancholic figure following Eugénie’s death, highlighting the profound impact of love and loss.

🍽️ Gourmet ❤️ Devotion 😔 Grief

Violette (Galatéa Bellugi)

Violette serves as Eugénie's assistant, showcasing her own passion for culinary arts. She represents the next generation of cooks and embodies the bridge between tradition and the future. Her character adds a layer of youthfulness and aspiration within the backdrop of the emotional weight carried by Eugénie and Dodin.

👩‍🍳 Assistant 🌱 Youth 🍽️ Aspiration

Pauline (Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire)

Pauline, the young niece of Violette, possesses a natural talent for cooking and symbolizes the potential for the culinary arts to continue through new generations. Her eagerness to learn from Dodin after Eugénie's death reflects the intertwining of hope and loss, making her a pivotal character in the film.

👶 Talent 🍽️ Future 🌟 Hope

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Major Themes – The Taste of Things (2023)

Explore the central themes of The Taste of Things (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love & Loss

The movie delicately explores the themes of love and loss through the complex relationship between Eugénie and Dodin. Their enduring bond is challenged by the inevitability of death, showcasing how love can transcend even the final farewell. The emotional turmoil following Eugénie’s death reinforces the fragility of relationships and the impact of grief.

🍽️ Culinary Arts

At its core, the film celebrates the art of cooking and the joy it brings to people’s lives. The intricate preparation of meals serves as a metaphor for the characters' relationships, highlighting the beauty and complexity of both. The contrast between Eugénie's exquisite dishes and the prince's unappetizing meal underscores the importance of passion and expertise in culinary pursuits.

👩‍🍳 Tradition vs Change

The narrative wrestles with the themes of tradition versus change, particularly as Eugénie considers passing her culinary knowledge to young Pauline. This symbolizes the importance of heritage while also acknowledging the evolution of culinary practices. The story portrays the tension between maintaining traditional recipes and adapting to new influences in the gastronomic world.

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Quiet Bittersweet Romances like The Taste of Things

Stories where deep-rooted companionship slowly blossoms into a profound and poignant love.Find movies similar to The Taste of Things that explore mature, deeply felt relationships. If you liked the poignant and gentle romance between Dodin and Eugenie, you'll appreciate these stories of late-life love and quiet companionship.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often follow two individuals with a long-standing bond—be it professional, friendly, or platonic—that gradually deepens into a romantic relationship. The central conflict is seldom external drama but rather the internal realities of time, aging, and the profound appreciation of a love that feels both earned and fragile.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared tone of melancholic romance, slow pacing that allows the relationship to breathe, and a focus on the bittersweet interplay between profound joy and the gentle ache of impermanence.

Movies about Artisan Craft like The Taste of Things

Films that celebrate the beauty and emotional weight of a lifelong dedication to craft.Discover films like The Taste of Things that center on a character's devotion to their craft. If you enjoyed the celebration of culinary artistry and the theme of creative partnership, explore these stories of passion, mentorship, and dedication.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a master of a specific craft—cooking, woodworking, painting, etc.—whose identity is intertwined with their work. The story often involves passing knowledge to a mentee, facing a personal or professional challenge, and exploring how their dedication shapes their relationships and understanding of life itself.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their meticulous attention to the process of creation, a reflective and often celebratory mood, and the central theme that true artistry is not just a job but a form of expression and legacy.

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The Taste of Things Summary

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The Taste of Things Summary

The Taste of Things Timeline

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The Taste of Things Timeline

The Taste of Things Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Taste of Things Spoiler-Free Summary

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