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.

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.

Finally something original... feels... fresh!

Loved the setting in different countries and the concept of multiple languages used at once. Characters fit their role perfectly, the contrast between the Japanese and French (European) culture is very well defined and not overblown.

It's a smart watch, and you can also learn a thing or two about wine. Definitely a must-see for wine lovers, both in theory/academics or just people who enjoy drinking wine.

The romance as a subplot is alright, it doesn't take the main stage and lingers in behind the main story just to spice things up a little...

The tests keep you guessing and you never really know who's gonna win until the last episode at which point it becomes clear rather early in the episode.

After lots of twists and smart intrigue, the ending feels like a nice closure.

I can only hope we get to see more original shows like this one.

Great show! The first few episodes really caught my attention. I liked how the story unraveled bit by bit. And a competition focused on tasting wines and food - Yes, count me in.

Though I'm a novice at recognizing any kind of wine since I only like wines that are homemade and sweet, I understand why enology is an interesting subject. Imagine tasting a bottle of fermented grape juice and being able to discern how, when, and where it was made. That is crazy!

Anyway, this story manages to intertwine the dying wish of an eccentric wine collector with the lives of two talented and equally eccentric people who could benefit from his death.

Some parts of the show seem a bit drawn out, but the final episode was quite moving.

If you love wine culture and family dramas, this is for you.

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.