In the Loire Valley in 1885, celebrated gourmet Dodin (Benoit Magimel) lives on an idyllic estate alongside Eugénie (Juliette Binoche), his cooking collaborator of over 20 years, and lover of an unspecified length of time.
Eugénie has resisted all Benoit’s marriage proposals but after he cooks her a lavish meal, she finally accepts.
That may not sound much of a precis and no one could claim that this film is plot heavy, but it is curiously gripping. That is perfectly demonstrated in the first 20 to 30 minutes when the pair create a stunning looking meal, working in perfect synchronicity whilst director Anh Hung Tran’s camera seamlessly moves with them.
Nothing that follows can quite live up to that, and at times, the sheer volume and near fetishisation of food almost becomes parodic. What stops that happening are the exceptional performances from the leads as well as Galatea Bellugi and Bonnie Chagneau-Ravoire as their young assistants.
There is a highly signposted dramatic moment, but this is mostly a film of quiet pleasures, a celebration of food and the passing seasons.
Rating: 8 out of 10