Chef (2014)
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Jov Favreau, John Leguiziamo, Sofia Vergara, Emjay Anthony
Primary genre: Road
Secondary genre: Comedy
Third genre: Drama
Jon Favreau’s road comedy drama “Chef” is filled with sweetness and lots of spice. Despite being an amalgam of traditional cinematic ingredients (social ostracization, a new beginning, a parent-son relationship, a divorce), the end result is an unexpectedly delicious dish, impeccable presented even if you have tasted something similar before.
By far Favreau’s best film, who would have thought that after overseeing a series of effects heavy blockbusters, he would return to his original roots through a smaller and more personal vehicle? Perhaps “Chef” itself is a reflection of Favreau’s career; Carl can be interpreted as his on screen alter ego who instead of making movies for a corpo Hollywood studio, prepares his modern but stale cuisine in the controlled environment of a fancy Los Angeles restaurant.
Where Favreau shines in his own sharp script which enables the use of conventional elements to deliver a realistic take on a person’s middle life journey amidst authentic social and familial dynamics. There is no need to stir up boring melodramatic arcs solely to appeal to our virtue signaling nature. Carl as a father is not the typical, cookie cutter dude who pays attention only to himself on and off with a hateful wife who constantly finger points his unreliability of being a paternal figure to their offspring that so many movies have done before. Rather the story strives for a more hands-on approach with its emotional baggage like its food requiring an appropriate amount of time to be cooked in order to be enjoyed by an inpatient customer.
Casper’s divorced father and prime time chef is instantly likeable and most importantly, relatable; he is good friends with his son, does not suffer from megalomania, enjoys a respectful relationship with his gorgeous ex (Vergara absolutely stunning) and is open to new ideas. Soft spoken but firm, Carl shares also great kitchen staff interactions, is knowledgeable and passionate about his work; people like him and so will the audience. Thus when a clash with an online food blogger occurs, it will be the catalyst that will set his whole inspiring story into motion. A series of small but important events will lead him to a path of re-evaluation through the thing he loves the most: making food.
“You know how hard I work for this shit? Do you know how hard my whole staff works? What sacrifices I make to make you happy and then you just smugly just fucking shit on my shit?”
This rough and simplistic idea follows an interesting format of multi-culture exploration that only the American East Coast can offer. Carl’s adventures under the guise of a food truck take him, his amiable son and best friend to several cities each one bearing a distinct eating and musical culture. The soundtrack itself is a character within the film ranging from Latin jazz and blues to incidental music decorating a whimsical road trip which is elevated by a variety of quirky supporting characters.
Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Dustin Hoffman (among others) clearly enjoy their screentime giving sharp traits into their (shallow) roles. Favreau is surprisingly effective as Carl commemorated by a solid child actor who does not come across as petulant or distracting (Emjay Anthony) and John Leguiziamo’s and Vergara’s Colombian Latin-ess who bring a layer of sincere warmth. When you have people like these in your side, life can be a beautiful and flavorful treat.
Very rarely a motion picture that is feel good has no detracting elements, and “Chef” is a prime example of how watching a movie will allow a group of touching sentiments blossom afterwards. If one message is clear, it is surely to live your life doing what you love and everything else (eventually) will fall in place. The lack of high stakes though in combination with its lengthy runtime and laid back approach might attract the cynics who will consider it simple comfort cinematic food. The more optimistic will think otherwise and potentially search for a good meal after the credits finish.
A feel good movie for the ages
+Groovy soundtrack
+Sweet and light hearted story
+Great cast
+Child actor is not annoying
+Realistic and not stereotypical relationship depiction
-A bit lengthy