Day
157 Chef
[2014]
Screenplay Jon Favreau
Director Jon Favreau
Cinematography Kramer Morgenthau
Music Mathieu
Schreyer
Leads Jon
Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman,
Robert Downey Jr., Emjay Anthony, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale
Production Fairview Entertainment, Aldamisa Entertainment
IMDb 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Jon
Favreau, of both acting, directing and producing fame, really went DIY on this
film. It’s almost like a student film – written, directed, produced and
starring the man himself. It is perhaps a metaphor for his own 24/7 life in
film, except that in this he plays a chef, Carl. Carl is a divorced celebrity
chef at a top restaurant whose life revolves around his job and his love of
food and cooking. He struggles to keep his son Percy (Anthony) happy however.
He receives a bad review that goes viral from a top food blogger and it nearly
ruins his career. The plot is predictable and slightly clichéd, and I really
couldn’t decide if Emkay Anthony was actually a really bad child actor. The
film is very well cast, featuring big names in relatively small roles,
Johansson, Hoffman and Downey Jr. all showing us a glimpse of their class in
this indie film. It’s not high-brow entertainment and I could rip it apart, but
I would feel mean doing so as I actually enjoyed it a lot. It’s a feel-good
film that chooses not to explore any darker avenues, not because it doesn’t
know how, but because Favreau likely didn’t want to. He kept it light, as a
chef would know no-one likes their food stodgy. The soundtrack is excellent and
sounds like a summer road trip playlist – suitable considering the touring
sequence in the food truck. It’s easy, zesty entertainment that will make you
want to eat, so keep a sandwich in arms reach while you watch.
Acting 3 / 4
Writing 3 / 4
Cinematography 2.5 / 4
Music 3.5 / 4
HWF rating 3 / 4
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