The story of a well-intentioned idiot amidst a callous world never dates. The Dinner Game, ended with the moral statement 'think twice before you call anyone an idiot’. Agnes Jaoui’s The Taste of Others is less concerned with its moral outcome, but adopts a similar crowd-pleasing premise.
Castella (Jean-Pierre Bacri), a wealthy but childishly uncouth businessman, is reluctantly escorted to the theatre by his eccentric wife. He becomes instantly immersed when actress and English teacher Clara (Anne Alvaro) enters the stage, and an infatuation towards her grows.
The idiosyncrasies of these characters have been written so pedantically that they often border on caricatures. However, the fine ensemble cast works strongly within these limitations, especially Alvaro as the love-interest.
Unlike many romances’ flaw, the film is never over written or plotted, remaining lucid, and proudly traditional throughout. However, it may have benefited from tightening, as many of the characters repeat themselves, rather than grow with their actions.
The Taste of Others’ droll social satire and relaxed, non-imposing style are in the vein of Woody Allen, and Jaoui and his star Bacri have co-written an observant script, imbued with nuances and ironic dialogue that piercingly tap into quirks of recognisable speech.
Filmink 3.5/5
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