Director Lasse Hallström's (Chocolat) adaptation of the Richard C. Morais novel about the rivalry between an Indian restaurant that is 100 feet away from a three-Michelin-star-hunting bistro in the south of France. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (The Queen).
A young immigrant named Hassan (Manish Dayal, Breaking The Girls) and his father (Om Puri, Ghandi) open an Indian restaurant in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Hassan - a gifted chef - must win over the eccentric Madame Mallory (Mirren), the head chef at the revered Le Saule Pleureur bistro.
Often with foodie films, the filmmakers treat the on-screen dishes like Michael Bay treats women: they tart the subject up and use glistening gratuitous close-ups with the intention of making the audience drool. But in this adaptation of Richard C. Morais’ novel, Chocolat director Lasse Hallström isn’t as interested in food porn as he is in food romanticism.
Full reviewIt contrasts the heat and intensity of Indian cooking with the elegance and refinement of French haute cuisine, then balances the two with a feel-good lesson in ethnic harmony.
Full reviewThe movie’s never tastier than when screen vets Mirren and Puri are sparring, pettily buying out each other’s produce at the local market or bellyaching to the town’s mayor.
Full review
Is likely neither to pique your appetite nor to sate it, leaving you in a dyspeptic limbo, stuffed with false sentiment and forced whimsy.
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A film that telegraphs all its beats and character arcs, executes them adequately but without passion or personality, then congratulates itself on a job done.
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When it comes to character development, Manish Dayal, as Hassan, and Le Bon are sold short, landed with thankless, undeveloped roles.
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It is the film's winning collection of wonderful characters that will truly satisfy all tastes.
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