A Matter of Taste (2000)

Nicolas, a handsome, young waiter, is befriended by Frédéric Delamont, a wealthy middle-aged businessman. Delamont, a man of power, influence and strictly refined tastes, is immediately ... See full summary »

Director:

Bernard Rapp

Writers:

Philippe Balland (book), Bernard Rapp

Stars:

Bernard Giraudeau, Jean-Pierre Lorit, Florence Thomassin

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bernard Giraudeau	...	Frédéric Delamont
Jean-Pierre Lorit	...	Nicolas Rivière
Florence Thomassin	...	Béatrice
Charles Berling	...	René Rousset
Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Le juge d'instruction
Artus de Penguern	...	Flavert
Laurent Spielvogel	...	Doctor Rossignon
Elisabeth Macocco	...	Caroline
Anne-Marie Philipe	...	Doctor Ferrières
Delphine Zingg	...	Nathalie
David D'Ingeo	...	Marco
Frédéric De Goldfiem	...	Félix
Patrick Zimmermann	...	Frédéric's Chauffeur
Claude Lesko	...	Frédéric's Head of Security
Vincent Tepernowski	...	Second Taster

Storyline

Nicolas, a handsome, young waiter, is befriended by Frédéric Delamont, a wealthy middle-aged businessman. Delamont, a man of power, influence and strictly refined tastes, is immediately smitten by Nicolas' charm. Lonely and phobic, Delamont offers Nicolas a lucrative job as his personal food taster. In spite of their differences, a close friendship begins to emerge between the two men. However, their bond of trust and admiration soon spirals downward into a dangerous game of deceit and obsession for which neither is prepared.

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Plot Keywords:

deception | obsession | waiter | food taster | businessman | 

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Taglines:

Seduction comes in many forms...

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site [United States]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 April 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

A Matter of Taste

Filming Locations:

Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,144, 3 September 2001

Gross USA:

$10,720

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$51,148

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Catherine Dussart Productions (CDP), Centre Européen Cinématographique Rhône-Alpes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Nisi dominus, RV. 608: 5. Sicut sagittae in manu potentis (Allegro)
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by James Bowman (counter-tenor) with The Academy of Ancient Music
Conducted by Christopher Hogwood
Produced by Peter Wadland
(P) 1975 L'Oiseau-Lyre/Decca

User Reviews

Young man submits to temptation

Bernard Rapp's previous feature Tiré à part (Limited Edition) had prepared me for this stimulating exercise in domination by mind games. It is very impressive, the way Rapp lays out the slow decline of Nicolas Rivière through luxury, laziness and the unwillingness to look squarely at the danger he's in. His job description is taster, but really he is living a surrogate life for his boss Delamont (for the latter, think Howard Hughes). The older man wants to watch the younger go parachuting, skiing, take a trip into the desert to sharpen his senses,even make love to a blonde at a party. For those who are looking for a homosexual basis for the relationship between these two men, the scene with Nicolas starting to warm up the blonde in bed, only to be dismissed by Delamont who wants to claim his prize will provide more than enough ammunition.

Bernard Giraudeau is splendid as Delamont; he understands how to make a young man feel favored then inadequate through a minimum of words. He used that purring voice and sly grin before, in Drops of Water on Burning Rocks (Ozon), where he made life hell for his teenage lover. Jean-Pierre Lorit is adequate, but no more, as Nicolas. Florence Thomassin reminds me of a fashion model who has strayed into acting; her height and good bones don't make me forget how stiff she is.