Contributor: Michael Aho
When you head to the movies, my view is that your experience should leave you feeling something. That could be sad, happy, angry, or something else—but at least you feel something. With “Chef,” (directed, co-produced, written by, and starring Jon Favreau) you leave feeling happy and also wanting to get your own food truck. I went to see Chef after my parents told me they had seen it. I remember hearing about it and seeing a preview, but frankly forgot it was even coming out. The movie has a surprisingly all-star cast (Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Bobby Cannavale, Sofía Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, Oliver Platt, and John Leguizamo) but Favreau and Leguizamo are by-far the stars.
I purposefully did not read the synopsis before heading to see the movie and am actually glad I did not. I had in mind something along the lines of a documentary type of movie, but this could not have been further from what it actually was. Overall, the movie brings a lovely story about a father who is simply trying to follow his passion as a chef (Favreau), while also navigating a tricky life with his son, who resides with Favreau’s ex-wife (Vergara). The first part of the movie is interesting, but the second half is where the movie takes an interesting turn that proves to be a good one. The latter part of the movie, where you really connect with Favreau and his passion, also brings Leguizamo to life when they journey across the country on their new food truck. Mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches and other great food jump off the screen in what becomes symbolic of Favreau’s life: take a risk and enjoy the ride of what comes. Even if you cannot quit your job and follow a new passion, Chef offers the chance for you to do so—at least for 114 minutes.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5).
TMI LIVING 