The Taste of Others
Subtlety hasn't exactly been the strong point of recent film comedies, especially the American ones. So when something comes along that's slightly less than heavy-handed, it's impossible to resist.Perhaps that explains the overwhelming positive reaction to "The Taste of Others," a French comedy-drama smart enough to recall a time when laughs were generated by clever writing and when an audience could be won over by realistic, dramatic storytelling. (The film was the French entry in this year Best Foreign Film Oscar race — though it, of course, lost out to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.")
And sure, there's nothing particularly new about the film's main message — one chastising most of us for prejudging others simply on the basis of their personal preferences and tastes. But it's done with sensitivity and restraint, and the characters are so appealing that you can't help but fall in love with them.
That includes husband-and-wife screenwriters and actors Jean-Pierre Bacri and Agnes Jaoui (who also directed), who may be remembered for 1996's "Un Air de Famille (Family Resemblances)."
Bacri stars as Jean-Jacques Castella, a French financier who's having something of a midlife crisis. He's bored with his humdrum job and even more fed up with his shallow, materialistic wife (Christiane Millet). In fact, the one thing that does intrigue him is his lonely-heart English instructor, Clara (Anne Alvaro), who moonlights as a theatrical actress. And while she's happy for the attention, Clara is a bit taken aback by Jean-Jacques' declarations of love.
Surprisingly and refreshingly enough, the plot isn't nearly as predictable as you'd expect. (In an American version of this tale, all the story threads would probably have happy endings; not to say too much, but that isn't the case here.)
And while there are several sly, well-placed jabs at French cinema (mocking the overly dour nature of that industry as a whole), most of the humor isn't so inside.
Besides, it's the characters and the acting that really make the film work, particularly the performances by Bacri (whose character's transformation is very believable) and Alvaro, who shines in a heartbreakingly sweet scene at the end.
"The Taste of Others" is not rated but would probably receive an R for occasional use of strong profanity and some crude sex talk, brief violence (a mugging) and brief drug use (marijuana). Running time: 112 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com