Review by Alyn Darnay
I love to cook and I’m actually quite good at it. Most of my friends love to cook as well. Some are incredibly gifted chefs. You could call it a grand passion, because if you’re doing it right, brilliantly that is, your sole concentration is on the dish you’re creating. Yes, I said creating, it’s a most creative endeavor taking various ingredients and blending them to make a new and delectable taste treat. It’s rather like making a movie, blending the right elements to create a treat for the palette and soul of the viewer.
“Chef” by the highly talented director,writer and actor Jon Favreau, is all about those passions. He plays with your senses, all of them, and is able to transcend the food he speaks of into the passions of our lives. You’ll taste the food on the screen, feel the music that permeates the atmosphere, live the journey of the main character, and involve yourself in a family dynamic we’ve all come to accept, understand and associate with.
Here’s The Storyline…
Chef Carl Casper (Favreau), a once leading culinary star is being creatively stifled by his restaurant owner boss (Hoffman). When internet food critic (Oliver Platt) calls Carl’s food too safe, Carl loses it in the midst of the packed restaurant and winds up an Internet sensation, but out of work and un-hirable. Trying to figure out his next move, he finds himself in Miami joining forces with his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara), best friend (John Leguizamo) and son (Emjay Anthony) as they try to launch a food-truck business. Taking to the road and going back to his roots rekindles his passion for cooking and brings perspective to his life, fatherhood, and romance.
It’s all very tasty. Every foodie will love this tale of culinary ‘delectability’ spiced with a mouth-watering glimpse into life on the kitchen line. The film is rife with lovingly shot montages of sauteed veggies, juicy grilled meats, and gooey melted cheese sandwiches. I left the theater hungry, as did the audience according to the conversation I heard on the way out. The film touched a tangible hungry button with everyone. I’ve never seen that before.
Even though all the actors are uniformly good and deliver wonderful performances, this is definitely Favreau’s film. It’s a small, very personal movie, sort of a meal in itself that echoes what’s probably the director’s own search for something new in his life and career. The way I see it, after directing such films as “Iron Man 1 & 2”, “Cowboys and Aliens”, and “ELF”, it’s nice to see him return to his roots with a warmhearted tale of redemption that in may ways recalls his performance based early films “SWINGERS” and “MADE”. Welcome back.
“CHEF” is R Rated by the MPAA for language, including some suggestive references
Running Time: 115 Min
Written & Directed by: Jon Favreau
Cast: Jon Favreau, John Leguizamo, Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson, Bobby Cannavale, Oliver Platt, and Emjay Anthony
NOW PLAYING
In Miami; Regal South Beach Stadium, PARAGON Grove, AMC Sunset Theatre, COBB Dolphin Cinema, Cinemark Paradise, Cinemark Palace
OPENS FRIDAY May 23
In Tampa; AMC Woodland Square, AMC Veterans and AMC Westshore
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
