Movie; Chef

Chef:  a delightful food movie.  When I saw the preview, I thought this might be an enjoyable film.  After spending 115 minutes watching food being prepared and getting more and more hungry, I can report that words like “delightful” and “enjoyable” are inadequate.  This film will bring many smiles and a few laughs.  At Its foundation is a simple story line.  The Chef, played by Jon Favreau who is also the writer and director, receives and reacts to a negative restaurant blog by first sending a twitter response to the critic (Oliver Platt), then physically confronting him.  This face to face confrontation goes viral on youtube.  Back story is that the owner of the L.A. restaurant (played by Dustin Hoffman) where Chef works refused to allow Chef to update the menu.  The critic had previously praised Chef when he was young and starting out in Miami.  After losing his job in L.A., Chef returns to Miami, puts together a food truck serving Cuban sandwiches and makes a triumphant return.  In between, Chef connects with his 10 year old son (Emjay Anthony) who travels with him as they drive, cook and serve food from Miami to L.A., with stops in New Orleans and Austin.  The film is filled with superb cameos including Robert Downey, Jr., playing Marvin, the ex-husband of Chef’s ex-wife, who is particularly charming.  In one scene, it appears the script must have been misread by Marvin, nonetheless, he and Chef keep playing it out, which results in one of a number of funny episodes that occur throughout the film.  Scarlett Johansson also has a charming role.  Other prominent players are Sofia Vergara as Chef’s ex-wife and John Leguizamo as the line cook who follows Chef to Miami and back to L.A.  In addition to the food, there is Cuban music present throughout the second half of the film.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy the sound.  The family story is positive, the music is wonderful and then there is the food.  You owe it to yourself to see this film.