Review of Chef (2014) by Ryan E — 10 Feb 2015

When I read the description of 'chef' on netflix I got bored. a famous chef reconnects with his son while opening a taco truck. there was nothing in there that pulled me in, it felt too everyday. Thus when a friend announced we would be watching 'chef' at a movie night something in me rattled its cages in a fit. why, why does this movie look good to you?

Chef is worthwhile for its sumptuous presentation of gourmet cooking. nonvegans will undoubtedly enjoy it more than I did. Aside from the food porn though, chef is really a waste a time. The strongest segment of the film is the first half hour, when we are introduced to the jocular relationships chef has with his two cook friends, and the chef faces off against his prick boss, played by dustin hoffman. There is a conflict with a food critic as well, but that friction ends up wearing you down too much..chef is not a very likable character, and his relations with his friends gets old fast.

The rest of the film lacks some vital spirit. Sure, there are story arcs and conflict, but the film feels oddly directionless. I was only marginally invested. Other directorial choices of Favreau's did not help. Favreau casts women completely out of his league as his two love interests. Yes, he is a confident celebrity chef, but really? It's true these relationships exist, but the perpetuation of this onscreen only ticks me off. I just see Favreau's ego on full display, as well as the double standards of what conventionally unattractive yet successful men can pull.

Perhaps it is a generational bias, but it must also be noted that Favreau's fawning love of twitter and social media which features so prominently in film was incredibly annoying. Yes, twitter exists. Yes, it is an excellent way to market yourself. and YES, we are incredibly inundated with the knowledge gen y and zer's are very digitally savvy compared to their parents. This would have been relevant content five years ago.

If you like Favreau's other movies (Iron Man, Iron Man 2) you'll enjoy seeing the man take center stage, but that enjoyment will eventually curdle as the film's directionless seeps in halfway through. Just keep waiting for the food porn, it's what keeps the film alive.