REVIEW: CHEF

4/5

Todays Special.

114 Minutes. Starring: Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, EmJay Anthony, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman & Robert Downey Jnr. Director: Jon Favreau.

Good evening folks, my names Tim and I'll be your waiter this evening. Excuse me...your writer this evening. Then again isn't that one and the same thing? How about I start you off on some appetizers? Jon Favreau is a great writer/director/actor, triple decker threat that's been producing some mouth watering movies for us for years. You might know his signature 'Iron Man' franchise that made Marvel the hottest main course of the Summer. You only have to see 'Captain America-The Winter Soldier', 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2', 'X-Men: Days Of Future Past' and the forthcoming 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' to see that this is their year. Still if you'd like something lighter in-between all these dressings of robots ('Transformers'), monsters ('Godzilla') and monkeys ('Planet Of The Apes') then why not feast your eyes on this? Fab Fav takes two from his Tony Stark sequel and starts you off with two of the biggest Hollywood names in the business to whet your appetite. Want something that looks good but has more bite? Then how about Scarlett Johansson, who is having a career year 'Under The Skin'? That's right 'Her', herself whose Black Widow character is still crawling across the Avenger franchises before next years 'Age Of Ultron', thanks to Jon's direction and introduction. She makes a great lead waitress here and what Favreau film isn't without some RDJ? May I recommend the cameo from Mr. Stark himself? Classic.

Still let's get to the meat of this product, because the main course of this film is to die for. Forget the filler, Favreau's performance across the board is killer. Setting the table, his menu is script perfect, his direction with all he has on the plate...flawless and as for his own acting...it's a masterchef masterpiece. This is a man who is so passionate about making movies and with making a meal in-between this one we may have just seen his other love with this culinary classic. He's so proud of his cuisine and it's course you may just think he's a real chef in the making...well he has had the training. This man is so passionate about cooking he has a chef's knife tattooed on his arm. He even makes something as simple as making a cheese toastie for his son look so strategic...and satisfiyingly stringy and succulent. There's no nightmares in the kitchen here however. With John Leguizamo and Bobby Cannavale on his line we have more than just two great sides for the offering. Cannavale is his best in years and Leguizamo the man that is in seemingly every other picture shows the great talent behind all that hard work. You can put this next to 'Romeo + Juliet' and his small screen role in medical drama 'E.R.' as among the 'Ice Age' stars best dishes. Charismatic, classy and oozing heart warming cool, Johnny Legz gives this food truck it's feet and the wheels to keep everything spinning. Add a sought-after and superb sprinkle of Dustin Hoffman and Oliver Platt and you have everything your main course needs and a recipe for a real dramatic treat. Forced out of his restaurant after a harsh food critic blogs a viral bad taste in the mouth, Favreau's character takes to the road in a revolutionary food truck business. He needn't have to worry anymore though, the knives aren't out from this blogger. With some great family time with his star to be son, Emjay Anthony this picture is the feel good, first class portion you've been hungry for. Especially with 'Modern Family' star Sofia Vergara adding spice and substance to this already movie-star medley and moveable feast. Are your full yet because there's more on this platter to wine and dine you? How about some refreshment? As this truck tour of the United States from the food culture of New Orleans to the music one of Austin, Texas drinks in all the States has to offer in its outstanding openness.

With helpings of heart and lashings of location this sweet and soulful film is fun with feeling. So much so you may not have enough room for dessert, but why you mull that over perhaps some music will put you in the mood. From Mexican versions of Marvin to skeletons miming to Al Green classics this films soundtrack is something else entirely all the way to all the Cuban flavours of the barbecue hot Miami. The only thing that sounds better is the sound of the inspired ingredients hitting the grill plate with a zest that's music to your ears and more feeling to your pallet. From the way this food is prepared and shot in slick stages this more than doubles up as the perfect cooking show mixed into a great Hollywood movie. Its a fresh taste for the mainstream movie market that shows how feel-good this life really should be despite the critics. Health and happiness is on the menu and its time to read and hash-tag all about a film that makes the most out of social media, especially those tweeting birds. This 'Chef' is an aid like Hayes to any heart and soul of creation that wants to take their dream to the entrepreneurs market, whether from the kitchen or another worktop. Our head chef manages to do this without condescendingly shoving these ideas down our throats or acting as as sickly marketing campaign to viral networks. Instead its just a significant sign of the times, with a symbol of change in the face of expense itself that inspires and welcomes more people to the table than Vegas. Even vegans will want a taste. With a simmering story and a boiling cast this is a dish best served hot. So what more can be said but 'bon appetite'? We hope you've just had as much fun tonight as we have serving you and hope to see you again real soon. Now before we say goodnight, how about that dessert? You know you want to, because this 'Chef' has a treat for you. TIM DAVID HARVEY.