Frederic Delamont, a wealthy business man, has a problem. He must have someone to taste the food he is going to eat. His aversion to fish and cheese presents a big problem for him. That is why, as the story begins, a young man, Nicolas Riviere, who is about to serve Delamont a dish in the restaurant he works as a waiter, is told by the diner to taste something from the plate he had just served and to describe its ingredients. When Nicolas gives the right answers, Delamont seems impressed by this waiter's knowledge in food.
Nicolas is engaged to be Delamont's personal taster, something that his girlfriend, Beatrice, and the group of friends that share a large apartment, find weird. Delamont asks for what appear is way beyond the duties of an employee: he must go through a rigorous diet, and he must stop smoking. At the end of this trial, Delamont presents Nicolas with a feast of fish and cheeses. Having starved for so long, the banquet makes Nicolas sick and he develops the same repugnance for fish and cheese as Delamont.
Delamont wants to dominate his relationship with the younger man, to the point that Beatrice feels she has to end seeing Nicolas. When Nicolas picks up a young woman at a hotel, Delamont offers to rent him a suite. As they are getting intimate, a robed Delamont appears out of nowhere to remind Nicolas he is the taster, and not to forget it! The young girl was intended for his enjoyment only.
There is a hint of homosexuality throughout the story, but everything is left in the air. The story, seen in flashbacks, appears to be the interrogation of the people that were close to Delamont, as it appears he has been killed, although this is left to the viewer's imagination.
Bernard Rapp, the director of the film, created an elegant story that, at times, kept reminding us of Joseph Losey's "The Servant", although this film has two uneven roles. Frederic Delamont is a calculating and manipulative rich man, whereas Nicolas Riviere, is poor as well as dazzled by his sudden brush with wealth and power.
The main reason for watching this intriguing film is because of the sophisticated portrayal Bernard Giraudeau gives to Frederic Delamont. He completely dominates the film with his performance. Jean-Pierre Lorrit, who plays Nicolas, is quite good, but unfortunately, he is playing against a great actor, and it shows.
The film has an interesting cinematography by Gerard Battista and the atmospheric music of Jean-Philippe Gaude. The production designer, Francois Comtet did a wonderful job with the many sets used in the Lyon area. We'll be looking forward to Bernard Rapp's next project because he shows he is on the right track for doing great things.
Nicolas is engaged to be Delamont's personal taster, something that his girlfriend, Beatrice, and the group of friends that share a large apartment, find weird. Delamont asks for what appear is way beyond the duties of an employee: he must go through a rigorous diet, and he must stop smoking. At the end of this trial, Delamont presents Nicolas with a feast of fish and cheeses. Having starved for so long, the banquet makes Nicolas sick and he develops the same repugnance for fish and cheese as Delamont.
Delamont wants to dominate his relationship with the younger man, to the point that Beatrice feels she has to end seeing Nicolas. When Nicolas picks up a young woman at a hotel, Delamont offers to rent him a suite. As they are getting intimate, a robed Delamont appears out of nowhere to remind Nicolas he is the taster, and not to forget it! The young girl was intended for his enjoyment only.
There is a hint of homosexuality throughout the story, but everything is left in the air. The story, seen in flashbacks, appears to be the interrogation of the people that were close to Delamont, as it appears he has been killed, although this is left to the viewer's imagination.
Bernard Rapp, the director of the film, created an elegant story that, at times, kept reminding us of Joseph Losey's "The Servant", although this film has two uneven roles. Frederic Delamont is a calculating and manipulative rich man, whereas Nicolas Riviere, is poor as well as dazzled by his sudden brush with wealth and power.
The main reason for watching this intriguing film is because of the sophisticated portrayal Bernard Giraudeau gives to Frederic Delamont. He completely dominates the film with his performance. Jean-Pierre Lorrit, who plays Nicolas, is quite good, but unfortunately, he is playing against a great actor, and it shows.
The film has an interesting cinematography by Gerard Battista and the atmospheric music of Jean-Philippe Gaude. The production designer, Francois Comtet did a wonderful job with the many sets used in the Lyon area. We'll be looking forward to Bernard Rapp's next project because he shows he is on the right track for doing great things.