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Monday, September 15, 2014

MOVIE REVIEW Chef
 A Populist Food Network Grows In South Florida

John Leguizamo as Martin, Emjay Anthony as Percy and Jon Favreau as Carl, in "Chef", which Mr. Favreau, wrote, produced and directed.  Open Road
       
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        Follow popcornreel on Twitter FOLLOW                                           
Monday, September 15, 2014

 "Chef" is a mouthwatering food festival of fun, love, technology and father-son bonding.  Jon Favreau writes, directs and produces one of the year's best films, starring as title character Carl Casper, a middle-class L.A. chef whose sterling reputation precedes him.  Divorced from Inez (Sofia Vergara), Carl picks up his son Percy (Emjay Anthony) on a regular basis but resists bringing him to work, with a demanding Angeleno restaurant owner (Dustin Hoffman) wanting Carl's cooking par excellence to continue.

A smarmy online L.A. restaurant critic's scathing review of Carl's edible concoctions hits Carl in the solar plexus and a raging Twitter war ensues, as does a change for Carl.  The food criticism wounds Carl, setting off a road trip of rediscovery and reevaluation.  Carl is a man who doesn't have all the answers but the ingredients leading to them aren't too far away.  His romantic partner Molly (Scarlett Johansson) offers him good advice.  One scene between them involving food is the equivalent of foreplay and sex -- a clever reversal on the saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Mr. Favreau creates a warm, sunny, well-written film that stresses the importance of family, networking, maturity and communication.  "Chef", which illuminates the diversity of American culture, also highlights the value of social media for good and ill, and utilizes its power as a grass-roots mobilizing force, to cultivate business success.

The sensitive Carl is a risible but caring fellow -- not the most attentive parent or best husband -- but is sincere at all times, as is this infectious comedy.  The kitchen is Carl's church and sacred temple.   

The director flaunts food choreography, tantalizing dishes and invests in handmade foodcraft rivaling the sensuality of the pottery-molding hands in "Ghost".  Minimalism and haughtiness (food critics and restaurant owners) squares off against meat-and-potatoes passion and populism in "Chef".  The balance between both is displayed in a smart, entertaining way.  Each scene is crafted with simplicity, tenderness and joy, and "Chef", an upbeat film full of musical cover flavors from Mr. Favreau's coming of age years, is seldom interrupted by cold, isolated characters whose sense of discipline and family may be warped.

Overall, "Chef" tells us that detours to the heart are okay, and that some food families are worth investing more in than others.  The dank, sparsely-lit cooking area of the popular L.A. restaurant Carl is head chef for contrasts with bright, clearer areas of space Carl cooks in elsewhere.  The food is prepared as if part of a grand ceremony.

"Chef" is directed and edited with precision and confidence.  The lone opening title onscreen is the film's: CHEF.  The title's split-second appearance may catch some by surprise but describes and defines the personality of its character: direct and dedicated.

"Chef" is a delightful trip.  We don't know what prompted the divorce between Carl and Inez (Ms. Vergara, by the way, tones down her flamboyant persona here) but we sense what made them an appealing couple.  The inclusiveness and perceptiveness "Chef" has is due to its collection of actors which includes John Leguizamo and Bobby Cannavale, two great New York City stage talents.  Mr. Favreau himself is exceptional, in the best work he's done on screen.  Mr. Anthony is admirable as Percy, the precocious son who wants time with his father.

You can't knock Mr. Favreau's fine directing effort or this sensational film.  It, and he,  has so much heart.  The film's you can feel melt into the pit of your growling stomach.  "Chef" is a film to savor and enjoy.

Also with: Oliver Platt, Robert Downey Jr., Russell Peters.

"Chef" is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language and some suggestive references.  Its running time is one hour and 54 minutes.
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