The Taste of Things

In the evening, Dodin will regale his friends with expensive wine and fluffy beef, and end the dinner with a Norwegian omelet that borders on magic. Although cooking takes the whole first half of the day, it doesn't make anyone tired. After all, Eugenie always receives generous praise for her hearty and flavorful table from happy guests, fascinated by her soulful creativity.

But in addition to the love of cooking, the house also has a careful romantic relationship between Dodin and Eugenie. When the warm day comes to an end, the kitchen is tidy up, and the guests digest the masterpieces, the owner timidly sneaks into the ward's bedroom. She does not reject courtship; on the contrary, she even craves them, but refuses marriage proposals, because work is the most important thing.

The connection between the main characters of movie “The Taste of Things” no less delicate and harmonious than their coordinated creativity in the kitchen. Dodin invents new recipes and creates unique menus for different guests, while Eugenie understands it at a glance and turns any whims into works of art. Even if you have to serve the traditional poor people's soup to the Crown Prince, she will do the job brilliantly.

The lady is so great in her skills that the vain rich hire dozens of chefs to challenge her and surprise Dodin with culinary delights. But time after time it turns out that no one can cook as elegant dishes as the simple daughter of a Parisian pastry chef can do. And for a gentleman in love, there can be no competition for either his stomach or his heart.

For them, food is the most accurate way to convey feelings for each other. No sincere conversations and confessions, courtship and gifts can compete with a dish that has been cooked for several hours and is the result of their joint creativity — his vision and her hands. Therefore, the slightest discord in the relationship results in extra bitterness of the broth or digested asparagus.

Only for Eugenie, cooking is more important than her relationship with Dodin, as she replaces them in many ways. A man is constantly looking for intimacy, offers to bind love together, but marriage will not give her anything fresh, because she already gives all her feelings to dishes. Therefore, Dodin should decide what is more important to him — his life's work or the person who helps make it come true.

Paul Schrader's movie “Master Gardener” is based on this worship of his own craft (read our text). But director Anh Hung Tran is not in the hands of a story of emotional anguish, but of love and passion lurking at the tip of a knife. There are no phrases as lavish as volovan and wordy drama here — just a chamber concert on kitchen appliances.

This is partly an ode to French cooking, which has almost been brought to a cult. In a world untouched by the hustle and bustle of modernity, cuisine is becoming a sacred temple of aromas and flavors. Slow and silent cooking, surrounded by a steady bubbling of soups and sauces, elevates every dish to the status of divine providence.

So every gesture of the main characters, whether it's persistently exposing an oyster or stroking a cream spatula on a biscuit, is at the same time another declaration of love, an airy compliment and a show of affection. And the dishes themselves are an honest conversation between Dodin and Eugenie, where any omissions are ruled out. A fragile dessert that melts in your hands is a symbol of a timid request, and a spicy steak is the expectation of a good night.

Just as life does not stand still, the relationships between the main characters have the tart flavor of a spoiled dish. Old age creeps up on a couple in love, and with it, the feeling of boiling time. There is not much left for them to invent new tastes and careful relationships. And the work of a lifetime requires passing on skills to the next generation so that the great French cuisine lives on.

At the same time, Anh Hung Tran's movie does not praise working on personal happiness. On the contrary, the director shows that true satisfaction and harmony come when you turn your favorite craft into a means to achieve them. The main characters do not end their relationships on the altar of cooking, but turn haute cuisine into a solid foundation for friendship and passion.