The story begins in Vietnam in 1951. At that time, during the Vietnam Counter-Offensive War between Vietnam and France, alarms and curfews often appeared. The film mainly focuses on the growth experience of the little girl Mei, telling her life situations in two family environments. In the film, the love-hate entanglements between characters tell different love stories.

Before discussing all the love lines, there are two very important characters in Mei's development. One is an old servant who is like a godmother of growth. When she taught Mei how to cook for the first time, she told her that no matter whether the food looks good or not, we will eat it, but the master does not.

The other one is the young mistress, because Mei resembles her daughter Tao, who died young, and the kind-hearted young mistress is also tolerant and loving towards Mei. Even though she didn't know that she was being pranked by her youngest son, Mei broke her beloved vase without getting angry. The family was in decline and had to send Mei to work in someone else's house, and gave Mei the dowry she had prepared for her daughter.

She is the one who gives Mei the most warmth.

Young Mistress: She protects the family but cannot protect her husband’s intention to run away from home.

She takes care of the whole family’s livelihood and all household affairs. The Young Mistress is simply “in charge of the hall and the kitchen.” typical model. Even so, the husband would still steal all the property in the house from time to time and leave without saying goodbye. After all the money was gone, he would return home to rest. Even the old servants at home had become accustomed to it. But when he returned from home for the third time, he took possessions that had not been squandered, but still had a breath of life that could be wiped out at any time. He finally "stayed". In order to treat her husband's illness and take care of his funeral, the young lady sold her favorite antiques just to maintain the integrity of the family.

She has a son, her own career, and a prodigal husband. The ending seems happy, but in fact, her heart is already broken. Her feelings for her husband are like a piggy bank stolen by him every time. It is always filled when it is empty.

Fiancée: I hope you love me when I love you

The fiancée of musician Hao Min (male protagonist) comes from a well-known family and is passionate. This couple looks like The golden boy. How much she understands his heart is not shown in the film. She finally runs out of the house after discovering a portrait of Mei that Hao Min secretly drew.

Perhaps with a hint of fantasy, she hid outside the window and observed. Suddenly she realized that he and Mei, who were playing the piano, looked more like a couple. She burst into tears and turned around gracefully. She will not choose to be patient like a young mistress, but hopes that when I love you, you will love me too.

Tang: I feel relieved knowing that you are fine

The old man liked my grandma. When she became a widow, his proposal to her was rejected, so he followed her every day. She moved to Wherever he moved.

After her granddaughter Tao died in infancy, her grandmother stayed at home and chanted sutras every day. For seven years, Tang could not see her. After Mei showed up, Tang would ask her if his grandma was okay every time he passed by. Later, with Mei's "help", he glanced at his grandma at the top of the stairs, but did not go any further. Mei understood the joy in his heart.

Mei: Pure love at a young age, growing up without being alarmed or disturbed

When Mei met Hao Min for the first time, she had already fallen in love with this handsome man who came to visit. man. She would secretly put on new clothes and take photos of herself near the water, fearing that the water would also see her little details.

When she grew up, she cooked for him. In addition to the friendship between master and servant, the meals contained the joy hidden in her heart. He gradually began to like her and painted her portrait; she put on red lips and put on a wedding dress. The moment had arrived, but she began to dodge in fear, and finally met him.

At the end, he teaches her to read and she recites poetry. Quiet and beautiful, the girl's dream has come true.

—— "The Taste of Green Papaya"

The story continues to happen. Regarding love, perhaps what we have imagined is the same beautiful and happy ending between the male protagonist and the female protagonist. The moon waxes and wanes, and there are thousands of faces of love. Maybe we are just waiting for someone to return. Maybe we have just ended an inappropriate relationship. Maybe we are waiting for the beauty in that person's heart. Maybe we have more. possible. Whether love is beautiful or regretful, there is always something charming about it. There are other things to watch in this film, such as a silent film-like expression, a quiet and elegant pace, and a refreshing Vietnamese film with the aroma of green papaya.