The Film Fatales serve up a review that's
sure to cleanse your palate.
Chef. 2014. R. 114 minutes. Starring Jon
Favreau, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Sofia Vegara, Scarlett Johansson,
Robert Downey Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, Emjay Anthony. Written and
Directed by Jon Favreau.
A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family. (IMDb)
Nicole:
Every now and then a movie comes along that renews your faith in the art of
storytelling. Chef is one such movie. I can't wait to express my enthusiasm for
this movie. I gotta get it said right now: I loved every second of this
wonderful film. From the originality of the story, to the stellar art
direction, to the ingenious casting, to the toe-tapping, hip-swaying
soundtrack--Chef adds up to one satisfyingly delectable watch.
elizabeth: Look
at this: Every time you start a review, you read my mind about what I am
going to say. Stop it! The day after we saw Chef, I posted that this movie will
make you happy, hungry and you will move your moneymaker. Someone sent me a
note asking if a moneymaker meant one’s butt. Dear Nervous Smile, yes it
does. And this is from someone who just got a new right hip. I couldn’t sit
still. It took my mind off the hunger pangs. If this movie does not get some
Oscar nominations, I will sell off my red carpet gowns. Once I buy them.
Nicole:
I'm sure the personal stylists at Givenchy were really looking forward
to that commission, Cassidy. How will they ever recover the
loss? So, Chef Carl Casper (Favreau) is stuck in a culinary rut, no
thanks to his tyrannical, afraid-of-taking-risks boss Riva (Hoffman). A
supremely terrible review of the restaurant's menu and Carl's skills sends him
into a downward spiral that forces him to reinvent himself by sacrificing his
pride. Along the way, Carl not only gets his mojo back in the kitchen, he
learns the true meaning of loyalty, family and friendship.
elizabeth:
It was almost like watching a man make love (I did that a lot; the restraining orders
prove my point) when Carl gets back to what really matters in
life. Watching him prepare food made my knees weak. And for the record, I tend
to favor heroin-addicted looking men, but the joy and delight you see
painted on Favreau’s face made him quite…dare I say…incredibly sexy. I
think that is the right word for this movie – it was sexy from the great
dialogue, to the food and let us not forget the music, which they were
smart enough to make into a soundtrack. Hello, Amazon!
Nicole:
Seriously downloading that soundtrack! This movie was a feast for the eyes
and ears. It was shot with the intent of making food and music central
characters. Each, in their way, express the soul of this movie...how both food
and music can bring people together...how much tradition and roots make life
meaningful.
elizabeth:
Did you play a Sunday
school teacher in a former life? I feel like putting on sensible shoes.
Nicole:
Don't make me threaten you with a ruler. Oh, and what a cast, by the
way. You can really tell how much Favreau enjoyed this role. His lows are
our lows. His highs are our highs. And he surrounded himself with people who
complemented his love of the material. Leguizamo as Martin and Cannavale as
Tony are terrific at providing comic relief in an already light-hearted movie.
And, Favreau's Marvel-franchise buddies Downey Jr. and Johansson lend well
to the cast.
elizabeth:
Kudos to Sofia Vegara and Scarlett Johansson; they added had just the
right amount of cool and H-O-T! But, you had to bring up Marvel didn’t
you? You were doing so well until now. Do tell: I bet you never left
one of those movies wanting to dance. I will say this about you:
I have never seen anyone bring in as much chocolate as you do to a movie.
I am not surprised they don’t make you check in your luggage. And for the
record, I don’t like being used as a human shield.
Nicole:
What can I say? I like to be prepared. Except this time, I really would
have rather had one of El Jefe's Cuban Sandwiches...
The Film Fatales give Chef
