Sunday 17 August 2014

The Hundred-Foot Journey (August 2014)

Official Australian release date: 14/8/14. Viewed: 17/8/14.
Director: Lasse Hallström
Actors: Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon, Helen Mirren, Om Puri
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Rating: PG


‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’ was a little like ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ for me – I had quite low expectations as I thought it was going to be an “old lady movie”. Thankfully, I was proven wrong and instead was treated to a nice little film about following your dreams.

The premise is simple – an Indian family move to London, get sick of the cold/rain (who wouldn’t!) and travel to continental Europe to find a new place to settle and start a restaurant. This place happens to be a picturesque little village in Southern France – however, their new restaurant happens to be next to a Michelin-rated French restaurant, and a rivalry ensues.

The performances from Puri as the Dad and Mirren as the French restaurant owner are great and quite nuanced, with Hassan (Daval) and Marguerite (the huge-eyed Le Bon) playing the young love interests/competing chefs. It’s great to see how their friendship evolves as Hassan goes on his food journey. Some parts of this feel like a cooking show, but not enough to put you off. It has funny moments, touching moments and a nice ending – plenty of messages about openness and accepting other cultures, and generally giving something/someone a chance.

Overall: Sweet story of family, food and discovery.

Gav's Rating: 3.5 stars. 

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