Taste (2021) User Reviews

Taste

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 17 April 2024]

This is quite a bizarre piece of cinema that centres around the relationship between injured footballer "Bassley" (Olegunleko Ezekiel Gbenga) and four women whom he does the occasional odd job for. His leg was broken so his career is pretty much over and they offer him a lifeline of sorts when they all move into a ramshackle old house and live together in a largely dialogue (and clothes) free environment. Aside from wincing a bit as they all cook in the nude whilst spitting oil emerges from the wok, there's not really much that actually happens here. They hardly ever speak, sleep in the same room and though there is nothing explicit going on, there is clearly a strong bond that develops amongst the five of them that we begin to appreciate is going to be tested as this progresses. Progresses, though, might be a generous word. It doesn't really go anywhere. Loads of lingering photography, wandering about au naturel peeling potatoes and speaking in glances and gestures doesn't really tell me anything about them. The nudity does clearly illustrate the variety and shapes and sizes of human beings, and to a certain extent humanises the scenario but it's not a feature of the story, it's just people without clothes that after a while ceases to be even remotely noteworthy. Is it supposed to be allegorical of the layered nature of society? Of our frequently all too flimsy methods of self-defence? I suppose the problem is, here, just what actually is noteworthy about this feature? I didn't hate it, but the purpose largely escaped me and I don't know that I knew what or whom it is for but the conclusion.

Nothing there

[mongtoria · 3/10 · 21 September 2022]

If you don't have any story, your metaphor is just a decoration on a souless body. This is an example of why most of DP shouldn't (and can't) write screenplay (Zack Snyder is the most typical example). So sad that this movie can destroy many of Vienamese viewer's faith on him.

However, I love the cinematography in this movie, not because it's excellent, just because most of Vietnamese market movies doesn't have cinematography at all. The sound design is good tho.

Acting was acceptable, considering they are not professional.

The only thing missing here is story, the biggest weakness of Vietnamese movies.

Trash

[bangtran-02981 · 1/10 · 30 March 2022]

Film is not worth watch. Waste of my time. The film is not true about Viet Nam at all. Watching the whole movies, I still don't know what is the message that the director wants to convey.

Tasteless

[khaingovan · 1/10 · 25 February 2022]

I think this movie has good cinematography and very bad plot. I understand some metaphors, mostly about historical events. But 99.99% nude scenes are meaningless. Maybe the film won an Encounters Berlinale because of them.

well the trashiest film that I have ever watched

[anhkhoasuper · 1/10 · 16 February 2022]

This movie is so terrible, and it is not true about Vietnamese. Also, "taste" describe Vietnamese as some kind like caveman. The song, the image are also trash.

Beautiful imagery of us (in any language)

[kurtisjvandermolen · 10/10 · 14 January 2023]

Easily misunderstood to be an inaccurate portrayal of Vietnam, and as a former traveler there, the point of the movie is despair and poverty, that happens to be in Vietnam.

I enjoyed the ritualistic humanity in survival mode. I loved the contrast of making hot air balloons but never riding in one; the juxtaposition of civilization against the backdrop of the untamed jungle; and, the deflation of the whole thing as life draws us down.

Beautifully depicted. Amazingly acted. The wildest form of us (in any language) Striking, provocative, and forced meditation on our base existence without the material color.

How did this get such high ratings?

[therealjaysmoke · 22 August 2022]

I can't even get myself to give this a 1. It was a complete senseless and quite disgusting movie. How did it get a 5? Thank God I could fast forward this trash.

Another view of Vietnam

[meowokrock · 9/10 · 10 September 2022]

Taste reveals a new and unique view of Saigon that I've never seen before. I love the cinematography and sound design. Like its name, Taste shows something new and provokes new feelings about Saigon, where I was born and raised. It introduces us to pieces of life that we would've never had a chance to experience. People criticize the film due to its nude scenes. But for me, they shows the nature of humanity, our differences and likenesses. Deep down underneath the covers we're wearing everyday, who are we? Should we question more about the things we do everyday, the food we eat everyday and the feeling we feel everyday? I'm very surprised to know that Le Bao didn't go to film school. His film is brave and beautiful. I'm glad I was able to watch this film in Thailand. I hope to see more of his film in the future.