The Hundred-Foot Journey Reviews

When was the last time that Lasse Hallström has directed a really good movie? Anyway, this time around,  he went for something really similar to 'Chocolat' (which must be his most overrated movie) and, even though it seemed to be quite popular, it didn't really work for me, I'm afraid. First of all, even though it felt like a true story, it was actually some fiction. As a result, while watching the damned thing, I was really impressed by this Indian guy who managed to become one of the best chefs in France but, in fact, it never actually happened so this tale became suddenly much less powerful. Another thing that bothered me was the fact, pretty much like with 'Chocolat', once again, Hallström struggled to make an English-speaking movie in France with a majority of French characters. Seriously, it was a mess. Indeed, sometimes, within the very same conversation, the characters would switch from English to French and back to English without any reason. I also don't understand why they chose Helen Mirren to play this part. I mean, she wasn't bad and her French was actually pretty good but I could easily name 10 French actresses who would have been better for this part. And, yet, I have to admit it, the whole thing was still a decent watch. Indeed, Hallström knows how to create a really nice mood, the cooking was fascinating and the food really looked delicious. Seriously, after watching the damned thing, I actually really felt like cooking and eating something really nice. In fact, I actually that this story really had some potential but the rivalry between the 2 restaurants was really boring and predictable and I wish they actually got rid off it but since it was the whole point of the book it was based on... Anyway, to conclude, even though it was yet another weak effort from the Swedish director, I think it is still worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

This has a very lifetime movie feel to it. It is supposed to be a feel-good movie, with the characters developing and returning to their roots blablabla. In other words, prepare for the predictable.

Initial Thought: Now to get the unpleasantness of the previous movie out of my mind I chose this. Who doesn't love a good foodie film. Plus the goddess Helen Mirren is in this.

Characters/Acting: When Helen Mirren is involved nothing else really matters to me haha. The only other familiar face here is Rohan Chand. The acting is quite good. French accents are incroyable (incredible in English). The characters are all interesting. Manish Dayal looks like an Indian version of a few different American actors one being Adrian Grenier. Of course I still found Helen Mirren to be the scene stealer. I'm biased whatever.

Story: It's about an Indian family who moves to France across from a popular French Restaurant and opens their own style of restaurant. I didn't expect this to start the way it did, but it definitely pulls you in. It's kind of like the Romeo & Juliet of restaurant rivalry. The food visuals are amazing and just mouth watering. The ending was alright albeit kind of predictable.

Directing/Writing: This is based off of a book by Richard C. Morais. I'm not familiar with him and it seems to be his only work of note here. Steven Knight has written quite a few well known movies some great and some not. The only other work I have seen of his was Redemption with Jason Statham. Lasse Hallstrom is quite a well known director of which I have only seen Hachiko, Safe Haven, Dear John, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. All of which are quite good films. I have a feeling I will be far from disappointed.

Final Thought: This was a beautiful foodie film for the whole family. It was interesting to see the various ways of cooking. It's definitely worth a watch if you haven't seen it. Watch it on a full stomach though or you will be wishing you had.