Review of Chef (2014) by Dave R — 31 May 2015

Going from big summer blockbusters to smaller indie fare is not an easy transition that every director can make, but that's exactly what Jon Favreau did with Chef. Using a chef and his restaurant as an allegory for dying and reinvigorated creativity, it rises above its overused clichés to serve up something with genuine heart.

This was a surprisingly funny and sweet drama that has a distinct formula from past indie and mid life crisis films. Its clearly aware of that and it doesn't make it a chore to sit through the more sentimental parts. It goes where you expect it too but that is no way a slight as its good sometimes to just enjoy the ride. Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) is a Los Angeles chef at a highly repsected restaurant with loyal employees Martin (John Leguizamo), Tony (Bobby Cannavale) and Molly (Scarlett Johansson). But overtime his passion has waned as he tires of the same menu for a decade while arguing with his boss Riva (Dustin Hoffman). It gets worse for him when a prominent food critic Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt), comes in to review his restaurant and Carl isn't allowed to present more original, exciting dishes. A terrible review leads to a bitter feud and Carl quitting the restaurant. Along the way he has a strained relationship with his son Percy (Emjay Anthony) and divorced from his wife Inez (Sofía Vergara). Soon he decides to go to Miami in a last ditch attempt to find his passion for cooking and reconnect with his son while working a food truck cross country.

The cast was excellent all around. Favreau brings much heart, intensity and passion to the role, reminding you that he is still a great actor. Its been so long that ive forgotten how great he can be when put in a lead role. Hopefully he gets more of these roles while still directing films. Vergara was sweet, warm and loving as the mother and conscience of Carl who strives to see him happy and successful. Leguizamo and Cannavale provide some great supporting comic relief as a pair of chefs. Hoffman and Platt made good use of their minimal scenes and didn't feel wasted at all. Amy Sedaris as Jen, Inez's public relations expert, also had a brief but funny scene. Anthony was the most surprising as the son of Casper. He was very effective playing the role of a kid who just wants to hang out and talk with his dad, not doing activities like going on rollercoasters or the movies. To the surprise of no one, Tony Stark....i mean Robert Downey Jr. was spectacular and his usual charming self as Marvin the ex wife to Inez and the buyer of the food truck.

The story is more of the same, much like Carls old menu, from past films but goes down so much easier while not leaving you queasy or full. It felt fresh and new where you were glad to be served another great dish on screen. It had the means to be much more cheesy and schmaltzy than it did but it persevered despite all that. The notes it hit made me feel good and sentimental, where the previous happenings perfectly set up the eventual emotional release. In many ways its similar to another unseen gem released earlier this year, Begin Again where a downtrodden fired record executive has to find his love for music again while reconnecting with his daughter and divorced wife. The music was the main attraction there as food is the main attraction here. The formula is followed in both but still effective in its presentation where it hardly matters.

This is food porn in the highest order and everything looked so delicious that even foods I didn't like made me drool. The presentation was excellent, showing the intricate artistry of food preparation like a sculptor. I could almost taste and smell it through the screen, even got close to licking the screen. Like an idiot, I didn't eat at all before I saw it so I had to spend the rest of the movie licking my chops at these gorgeous meals. The way Carl made the Cuban sandwich looked beyond incredible, so much so that I would do anything to take a trip to Little Havana. The grilled cheese also looked great, showing a way to make them that I never thought of. By grilling both sides individually then putting them together when both are golden brown allows for easier and faster control.

The R rating wanst much of a hindrance as people would think. This is more of a family movie than most and when a movie about a chef and his kitchen are shown, youd think swears would be included. If anyone has worked in a kitchen, you know how hectic and crazy it can get where language is very colorful and natural. In a funny moment, Carl is reluctant to let Percy in his kitchen cause of the language. But Percy says Ive heard swears before as Carl says where. He replies youtube. Which is true as kids of all ages hear and see so much through a universally used website that no one stops to think about that. Carl wonders how that is, like an ID should be placed when viewing adult material. It's the ignorance of social media from Carl that makes up a big part of the story. With no facebook, twitter or anyother social media site, he doesn't know how to market in the 21st century. In another scenario that seems overused, the kid tells his dad how to use technology. But in reality it isn't as that's how many kids communicate today so they would have intricate knowledge of their useage. Even I don't know how to use sites like Vine or other sites ive never heard of. The application of Vine provides the sweetest moment in the film, fusing technology and family into one.

In what is more like a direct question to Favreaus detractors, he goes on an epic rant on a critic on why he has to be so mean and cosumbed with vitorol in his reivews. It was the more surprising moments in the film as he sprinkled truth all over critics of this ilk. That probably felt all too cathartic to film and act. The soundtrack was one of the best ive heard all year with various covers from different genres perfectly backing the delectable dishes and montages on the screen. It gave it a much needed different flavor than the original songs would have. Its thigns like that where like a five star meal, everything compliments eachother and theres more than one thing to savor. Favreau as director and screenwriter does a great job of transitioning from scene to scene where he doesn't dawdle on characters or emotions. Its told in a very simple manner where sometimes talking doesn't need to be the main course and lets the food do the talking when needed.

This is a fine return to form for Jon Favreau, moreso to where he got his start in indie films like Swingers. Big budget summer blockbusters are fun and all but even the most ardent supporter gets bored of doing and seeing those sometimes. The story may be predictable but its worth it in the end. It doesn't offer much surprises but an easy ride works better here than another more complex route. Youll come for the easily digestible story but stay for the bountiful displays of beautiful food and dishes. Four lava cakes out of five.