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

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

It's an acquired taste.

Bernard Rapp's first work is not that much original:a strong Chabrol influence can be felt here there and everywhere.Two movie comes to mind "les biches" (1967) and "Betty" in the nineties.Both stories concern women,but it does not make a big difference.There's also "une étrange affaire" (1981) a Pierre Granier-Deferre effort,in which Michel Piccoli and Gérard Lanvin had a relationship close to that of Rapp's heroes.And let's not forget the classic Losey's "the servant" (1963)

That said,it's a watchable movie though,thanks to Bernard Giraudeau's sensational portrayal;if an actor can redeem a somewhat hackneyed script,this must be Giraudeau:smooth but threatening,affable bon vivant but subtile tyrant,he completely mesmerizes not only his young taster but also the whole audience.He's so powerful that the other actors (including an aging Jean-Pierre Léaud) stay on the bench.I wish he could find a director worth of his exceptional gifts.

The movie uses flashbacks and its construction recalls "les aveux de l'innocent" (1996) ,another offbeat story.The ending is rather unlikely and disappoints a lot.The female part is a cardboard character,and the actress is unable to act as a counterbalance;in "une étrange affaire" ,Nathalie Baye made all her scenes count.

See it anyway!every time Giraudeau is on the screen will make all worthwhile.And try ,if "une affaire de goût" is for you an acquired taste,to see the other movies I mention.

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