A Matter of Taste [VHS]

This well developed and well acted French psychological thriller is based on a novel by Philippe Balland. It explores the unusual relationship between a power-hungry middle-aged businessman and a young man whose desire for the pleasures of wealth makes him an easy target.Bernard Giraudeau as the wealthy older man is most convincing in his role as the controlling and dominating force in the drama. Handsome Jean-Pierre Lorit makes a perfect victim to the older man. All the supporting actors are excellent and in particular Florence Thomassin as Lorit’s frustrated girlfriend.The subtitles are easy to read and are accurate in translating the French. The superb editing keeps the drama moving. Alternating between the present and the past as the story unfolds is never confusing, but keeps us guessing as to the conclusion of the relationship.This film shows the dark side of a healthy sense of self-esteem in which some individuals try to control others and some who fall willingly into the trap. In this film both men are eventually undone by the corruption and compulsions of power.An excellent film that is not to be missed!

The DVD stopped playing about 30 min. into the movie. It was a gift, opened only now. Unfortunately, I don't see a return/exchange option.

An effective film at conveying the idea that unnatural love, despite a perfect match, leads to disaster.French acting, again touching on the expressive even, if not especially, in minute scenes, draws the viewer gradually in this tale of resonance of senses employed as an extension of the socially successful's deeply buried complexes. I should remark that this film is part of an interesting genre in which the French business executive is nothing of the sort Ayn Rand planted in our collective mind on of this side of the Atlantic.I wish the DVD transfer were of a higher quality. Also, some extras could have helped. All in all, it's a sound film, don't skip it! (between 4 and 5 stars)

Hitchcock would have loved this psychological thriller about a young man whose life is taken over by the wealthy businessman who hires him as his professional food taster.

This movie played at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2001 and I happened to catch it. The plot follows a wealthy, powerful business man and the waiter he hires to become his food taster. A strange premise, but I thought, rife with possibilities. Sexual undertones are suggested and a power struggle ensues as the employer tries to involve his new employee in increasingly bizarre activites. Overall, an enjoyable movie, but definitely film festival fare. The version I saw was French with English subtitles.

Intelligent dialogues. Might be slightly slow for the american standards but the subtility of Bernard Rapp's way of observing human behaviour is very interesting and well filmed. Gireaudeau is excellent as often.

A Matter of Taste is one of the most captivating and Hitchcockian French films that I've seen for a long time. It was directed by Bernard Rapp and I believe the story line inspires other French director such as Francoise Ozon. The theme of the film is about a successful businessman who hires the handsome, young waiter to become his food taster. The young man samples more than just food and a sinister game of cat and mouse consumes both men. The performance of Bernard Giraudeau as a rich businessman is magnificent! It's quite moving, sophisticated and sexy. I think only French could make a film like this. It's nominated for Five French Academy Awards including Best Picture.