Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Jon Favreau (Screenplay)
Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Lequizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr
Plot: A head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Fun Food Adventure
Story: Chef starts as we meet a once hotly tipped chef Carl Casper (Favreau) working for Riva (Hoffman) in his high-class restaurant. When a critic is due to attend, Carl wants to go big but gets talked down by Riva, this leaves him with a negative review. Carl finds himself becoming an internet sensation with this review by Ramsey Michel (Platt) going viral.
Carl finds himself out of a job but with a chance of big money, but his ex-wife Inez (Vergara) pushes him join her and their son Percy (Anthony) on a trip to Miami hoping to see Carl recapture his love for cooking. Looking to reclaim his reputation Carl gets a food truck to bring his flavours around Miami and this brings him closer to his own son and his true passion cooking.
Thoughts on Chef
Characters/Performance – Carl is a chef that had a reputation of being edgy and brilliant but over time he has fallen into a normal routine in a restaurant, he now needs to prove he is still edgy and a food truck will help prove this. Inez is the ex-wife that still supports Carl in his decisions and understanding his problems. Martin is the loyal friend of Carl that gives up his job to follow him on the food trip. The rest of the characters include the boss who is more interested in money that fresh food, the film critic, the son that is feeling left out and the other people that help Carl redeem himself.
Performance wise, Favreau is good in this leading role as well as being great of director, John Leguizamo is always great in supporting roles and this is no different. Emjay Anthony is good in what is an all-star cast to. The cast are all good through the whole film.
Story – The story shows how one man can lose his reputation but regain it by returning to his routes, so basically like any actor or director in Hollywood. There is obviously more to this film too as we get a father and son bond growing after years of a distant relationship but the food element shows if you are passionate about anything you can enjoy it from any position.
Comedy – The comedy is light and when needed as the film is more of a road trip adventure drama.
Settings – We get plenty of iconic locations through the film as we learn the different foods that make different parts of America famous.
Final Thoughts – This is an enjoyable food based road trip learning about different famous dishes from around America.
Overall: One that is enjoyable for all.
Rating
