The Taste of Others (2000)

Just what I expected

A lot of fun.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

This is a wonderful film and I found the way that it deals with the issue of taste very appealing.Castella is portrayed as a 'philistine', without taste as it were. This is a bigger thing in France than here in Austrlia, and the French language equivalent of the phrase 'bad taste' which is 'de mauvais gout' is to be avoided. Although in Australia we love to laugh at Kath & Kim, and 'The Castle', which represents bad taste to us.The thing is, some people seem to act like taste is a matter of 'breeding' and education. For example you may currently line your shelves with Toby mugs, and have personalised numberplate's, but with a little (or a lot depending on how little 'breeding' you have) education you are not beyond an appreciation of the maxim "less is more".However this film shows that while Castella maybe seen as uncouth, in the way that he would prefer Pro Hart to Sidney Nolan, Robert G. Barrett to Peter Carey, these loves are his loves, and he should not also be seen as 'thick' because of them. Or perhaps the elements of pop culture (or even kitsch culture) have the same intrinsic value, as those of high culture.I personally found it a more enjoyable film because of this element to the story.

I bought this film on VHS years ago to help me with my French. I guess England has the theater and the French and Italians have the cinema. I love the story between the English teacher/actress and the rich businessman Mr. Castella who tries desperately to fit in to her world. How could she not fall in love with him? HE is more than willing and able to love her back. Anyway, there are other stories that go on here. I love French films or cinema because they focus a lot more on character developments, relationships, and beauty as well. The beauty of France cannot be overlooked. I still miss if after 10 years and long to return home again. This film looks at the loneliness of people even the married ones or involved ones. It always appears like everybody is in their own little world of loneliness. Well, the writing is good but then again I was reading subtitles and trying to remember my French lesson plans as well. If you pay attention, you notice the differences in the written language from the spoken but that's with ever subtitled film. If only French film directors can teach American film directors that you don't need violence, sex, or special effects to make a good movie. You just need a good story and flawed characters.

A slice of potentially real French life, elegantly portrayed with the believable people ('characters' is the wrong word) being eminently watchable. It's a witty comedy that plays as a tragedy. The excellent screenplay reveals itself hesitantly, but that is the charm. The audience joins the story in the middle and leaves it before the end. The subtle everyday conflict of clashing tastes born of different beliefs - and no few prejudices - may seem rather boring plot compared with the latest Hollywood caper, but it leaves a magnificent impression of social relevance. And if you have not experienced the culture of everyday France, pay attention to the focal point the cafe takes. A word of praise to the two main architects: co-author (Agnes Jaoui) who directs herself as the barmaid (Manie) and her coauthor (Jean-Pierre Bacri) who writes himself the somewhat awful role of Castella. I must look out for their other works.

At first, the film was not really going anywhere and I thought it was an aimless film that is just all chit chat dialogue. But eventually, the characters reveals themselves by the taste they prefer and how they view other's tastes. At the end, nobody is what they seem to be, and the ones who pursues their dreams with their heart instead of their brains are the winners.