So difficult to watch anything food-related now without expecting to hear someone screaming, "CORNER!"
What it's about
At a crossroads in her career, television chef Taylor returns to her hometown and her parents' restaurant for some soul-searching.
The take
It's admirable how A Taste of Love keeps to the gentle pace of a slice-of-life story instead of blowing things up with unnecessary drama, but it's ultimately just too thinly drawn for any of its moments to become charming in their simplicity. There's nothing particularly wrong with any of its plot threads—emotionally they're all pretty level-headed and easy to understand—they just don't seem to coexist for any reason, or within any larger framework. As a result, spending time with this film doesn't just feel like hanging out with total strangers, but hanging out with people who are strangers to each other as well.
What stands out
There's a real missed opportunity here to talk about food as culture (or as expression, even) versus food as just a product. And the film's protagonist definitely has this on her mind, the conflict from it driving her decisions throughout the story. But unfortunately the movie just doesn't have the capacity to take on such an interesting idea, settling for basic relationship conflicts that lose momentum with every awkward "cut to commercial." They could've at least made the food here look delicious, but there are little to no glamour shots to be found for any of these dishes.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2002)
Two boys bond with the village seamstress through banned books in this coming-of-age historical drama
7.2
My Old Ass (2024)
A pleasant mix of comedy and coming-of-age that may or may not leave you in tears
8.0
Being Julia (2004)
A middle age crisis leads to a star finding her spark in this insightful comedy
7.1
Short Sharp Shock (1998)
Three friends take to the streets of Hamburg in this multicultural crime drama
7.5
Timbuktu (2014)
A skillful, stunning depiction of the absurdities of occupation
7.4
His Three Daughters (2024)
Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait
8.2
He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not (2002)
A unique romantic comedy that takes dark and unexpected turns
7.3
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally (1989)
The blind swordsman makes his last stand in this action-packed, nostalgic conclusion
7.0
Forgotten Love (2023)
The stunning third take of the classic Polish pre-war melodrama
7.7
The Commitments (1991)
Before Sing Street, there was The Commitments, an Irish band of young hopefuls escaping grim reality with the joy and promise of music