Les gouttes de dieu

What a strange idea. A psychosomatic issue doesn't allow a woman to drink any alcohol but when her father passes she has to compete in a wine competition for an inheritance. The character work is great, the information about wine is something I had no knowledge of and was really interesting, though I have no idea how accurate it is. I like that it bridges Japanese and French, the production values are great.

The only downside is that it moves sometimes slowly, but there is payoff for that buildup in both character development and plot, so I ended up very happy with it. Apparently it's based off of a manga, which I'm now curious about.

It's a little ironic in a way that a subject so steeped in taste and smell gets represented in a medium that can deliver neither of these - the fact that this isn't really a problem is a tribute to the brilliance and craft of those responsible for making this show.

For the most part Drops of God has a carefully sculpted aesthetic.

It's a multi-level approach - location plays a key role, but sound, lighting, and cinematography are elevated to convey the additional information - combined with a motif element to account for the filing of information on smell and taste.

Some great acting, and a great story - with a script that is a little clunky at times but mostly works well.

Considering that three languages are managed quite seamlessly and transparently, and that the end result is very satisfying, it's clear that this is a work of high accomplishment.

One episode to go and I'm hanging out to see which way the chips will fall.

In an ocean of overdone cartoons, vacuous gore, CGI, true stories and star wars-type productions, here we have a unique fictional story with an original plot, spanning across geographical boundaries and time periods, deeply human, with whatever darkness or light that carries along, beautiful photography, attention to detail in the production and complex characters who slowly unfold through an intricately unpredictable and quite addictive narrative full of twists about a side of the wine industry few are familiar with. Contemporary, smart, entertaining and just beautiful to watch...A true breath of fresh air.

Across 3 languages is no easy feat. It is intriguing & the characters you think are wooden but not. Especially if you travel you understand as well as the source material. The Test/ challenge is main thread (securing an incredible inheritance) of the series. Pitted between the deceased's daughter (who does not drink) and a Master Sommelier of Japanese Heritage. It can keep you concern for who will be the winner with out the violence that most films series require in a competition. The cast is not known and that is refreshing as well. It ticks all the boxes for love, food, wine, wealth, family dynamics, betrayal and compassion. It could be considered artsy/ independent because of all of the above. Enjoy.

Drops of god is a show about the journey of a french young woman who has to confront her problematic past with her father after his passing. This confrontation triggered by her fathers will that promises her 150 million dollars if she undergoes certain sommelier trials takes us the viewers through a journey of sense and taste in the for me at least very unknown world of winery and the restaurant industry.

It is a joy seeing how much attention to detail was put into every aspect of these trials, describing each time a side of the wine making and tasting process no one ever really cares about. The most interesting aspect of this series is exactly this, every single trial is a culinary puzzle the viewer unravels by learning alongside the protagonist on how to differentiate taste, memory and association. It is an unexpected thrill. Not to mention, the series is beautifully shot with long track shots bringing us along the journey, creative expressions on how the protagonist perceives taste and smart cuts, scenes that never drag.

The acting could use a little help, also the dialogue. My main complaint here is one that often appears when international casting and multiple languages happen to be in a movie. The dialogue done in one language culturally and colloquially does not fit the other. So you will see a lot of English dialogue spoken by a french/japanese person, who apart from the language has no bond to the culture, speaks like an american teenager for some reason. It is this disconnect that bothered me time and time again, only when the actors spoke in their own native tongue did it seem authentic.

Still this show is a thrill to watch and absolutely recommended.