I saw The Hundred Foot Journey on August 12, 2014!! This is a movie filled with food, family, & a fun story. It's why we like going to the movies. It had great emotion, legitimate comedic moments, very good dramatic performances, incredible scenery, truly beautiful music & food, as well as a pinch of romance. The focus of the movie is on the Kadam family & Madame Mallory. Everything branches off of this. We learn about the Kadam family & their ambitions to open an Indian restaurant following a tragic fire that touched the family more than you'd think. They end up in a hotbed of culture in France. Madame Mallory has established a truly popular restaurant that attracts the President of France to eat there. The audience is treated to some friendly competition between the two which provides both hilarious & dramatic moments.
I really feel Helen Mirren was the perfect choice for Madame Mallory. I've been a huge supporter of her work since Teaching Mrs. Tingle. She has a regal disposition about her that made the culture clash here work so well. The main character is Hassan, an ambitious young cook who wants to be a chef. The movie establishes how big of a deal this profession is. I like that-in the United States, I feel professions such as this don't get the attention they deserve. When you eat in a restaurant, how does the food get to the table? Hermione Granger isn't in the back creating delicious dishes using magic & spells. There's a chef creating these meals that you enjoy. Hassan is a very gifted cook at this point utilizing his vast array of spices to satisfy the palette. Manish Dayal did a really great job with the role. I like watching the character reach for the (Michelin) stars. His father (who is just referred to as Papa) is hilarious throughout the movie. Om Puri did really well & his chemistry with Helen Mirren was great.
Hassan is able to get to the next level with the help of a girl the family meets when they arrive in France-Marguerite. Charlotte Le Bon is gorgeous. There's just no other way to say it. She was just so stunning. Hassan definitely fell for her instantly, and I really don't know how you could blame the guy. I really would like to see her cast in some more Hollywood productions. She's primarily a French actress, and casting scouts need to get on the ball & realize that they can make a bigger star here. She's the one that is able to start him on his path to being a chef through cook-books, the different French sauces, etc. I liked that aspect of how both are aiming to be top chefs, but they do end up both helping each other along the way. She did a very good job. While they definitely put a sprinkle of romance, the focus for them was all about the food. You know there's something there, but you don't have to go in depth with it, because it's not the big focus of the movie.
When the competition gets out of hand due to racism (not Madame Mallory's doing), this is when differences are put aside. They become more social with each other. Utilizing Marguerite's information, Hassan is able to gain the favor of Madame Mallory. Madame Mallory & Papa definitely hit it off at the request of Mahira (Hassan's sister). Actually, the way they approached that towards the end was perfect just based on what Mahira says. While there are moments when characters are at odds, its because they all are working towards the same goal. However, the most important thing to note is everybody puts differences aside for the betterment of culture, food, & achieving that 3rd Michelin star.
It's really an ensemble effort to create a truly special movie. I really enjoyed the cast, performances, music, recipes, & natural chemistry of the characters. They cracked the eggs. They stirred the sauce. They created an amazing cinematic omelet that garners a 4/5 for me. I definitely would like to see this considered for some awards nominations, but it could be too early. I really enjoyed this movie. In a world where violence, vulgarity, & crude comedy are what lures people to theaters, it's nice to sit back and see people like Lasse Hallstrom create something innocent & artistic. Bon Appetit!
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