Went in with pretty low expectations, but this is a lovely flick. There's pretty much no plot (a chef reinvents himself in a taco truck and tries to form a relationship with his kid), but it's plenty heartfelt, with some terrific music, some outstanding-looking food, and some nice laughs sprinkled in. Favreau's never been better as an actor, and it gives Leguizamo a worthy role for the first time in I don't know how long.

It's also obviously autobiographical, in that it's about a chef (director) who's restricted in what he can do by his financier bosses (studios), so the critics (critics) savage him for turning out shitty product (Iron Man 2, Couples Retreat, Cowboys and Aliens). Thus, he starts over from scratch with a very low budget venture (this movie) in order to feel happy again. There are some pointed fuck you to critics here, but also enough self-critique that it never feels too bitter.

I really dug it. Strong recommendation. It's a humble outing, but soulful and lovely.

pimp move by Favreau to write in ScarJo and Sophia Vergara as love interests. the joys of being writer-director...

Favreau going back to indie roots in a way...

Can't wait to see this.

I was thinking the BIG NIGHT thing as well when I first saw the trailer.
Heard him talk about this quite a bit on his episode with the Nerdist folks and can't wait to see it.
SWINGERS was a favorite so many years ago. I'm hoping to see him capture some of that spirit here.

I saw his one-man show and (i was never ever a fan of his...ever) found a new respect for him and what he brings to the table. Glad to see him.

and everything else Longo said

Though I'm wondering if Sofia Vergara's lines were somehow dubbed, because that's really the first time I could understand everything she said, and I don't think they make her exaggerate her accent on Modern Family, though I could be wrong

But yeah, this movie made me want to quit writing, have a kid, then go buy a food truck

___________________________________________________________________________________________
LET THE GAMES BEGAN

nm

nothing in this flick goes more than an inch past the surface, but it's undeniably enjoyable.

there's about 2-3 minutes of conflict in the movie, the rest of the running time is a pretty by-the-numbers underdog story.

i wish they had taken a different angle and gone more in-depth into the life of a chef. or, if not that, gone full-bore into the realm of food porn (the food shown was decent, but nothing approaching Big Night or Ratatouille), but for what it sets out to be, it's fairly successful.

major props to Leguizamo and Vergara, both of whom managed to dial back the manic energy and turn in really enjoyable, human performances. great cameo by RDJ too.

>i wish they had taken a different angle and gone more in-depth
>into the life of a chef. or, if not that, gone full-bore into
>the realm of food porn

there are enough documentaries on chefs out there that do both nicely, and without any need for dramatic license.

Because the lack of depth in this movie just made
food this silly metaphor for anything, which makes
it like thousands of other "follow your dream" movies

Very lazy research and writing in this film

----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's simple and shit, but you know what? That's not a bad thing at all. This was an indie that had stellar cast that wanted to entertain. And they succeeded wildly. I mean you gotta be a real bitch made nigga to hate on this shit.

This was a nice breather from the big budget, shit blowing up every 2 seconds summer blockbuster season we're in. Real talk, I'm exhausted already and we still have June, July, and August.

Just a nice, simple, sweet movie. Amazing soundtrack. I stupidly went in with an empty stomach so I was almost passing out because of the food porn.

I'm almost a little nervous about recommending it because I could see people wanting more conflict or people saying it is cheesy but it's my favorite movie of the year.

there is no plot but it's a solid movie....i enjoyed it immensely

or are you just that good?

They got a bunch of recipes from the film online.

I was worried this would be an over-dramatic profile of working chefs (the real thing is much better; just watch Gordon Ramsay's Boiling Point), or two hours of in-the-moment references to our current foodie culture.

a little bit of both remains present, but that's mostly upstaged by charisma and plain fun. better yet, Favreau avoids the usual "story depth" hurdles -- a long conversation as to where the divorced couple went wrong, a five-minute backstory that really lets us know what makes the sous chef tick, or the continual angst over a tragic restaurant closing years ago -- by taking them off the track altogether.

it's hard to imagine how anyone could dislike this movie. it's not reinventing anything, just simplicity done right. kind of like ahi tuna.

but most dramatic kitchen stuff I've seen has been blade to terrible. I'm thinking of Whites or whatever that Hulu show was. Great potential, ultimately boring.

But food trucks are starting to pop here, and I have a lot of nostalgia for my kitchen days, so I'm going to try to catch this tomorrow or next Sunday.

~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." © Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

A chef is showing Jon how he makes his grilled cheese.
The passion he shows and he's teaching was wonderful.
Really enjoyed the film.

Loved how they handled Twitter.
Most movies are at least 5 years behind with displaying technology.
CHEF did a great job of incorporating it, from the tablet to the social media.
Loved the animation of Twitter (birds flying away, people retweeting).

I didn't realize so much was going to be focused on the food truck journey.
Not complaining, but I would have liked to see more build up with problems in the restaurant.

And did Jon/Casper live in a loft? I really liked his kitchen space (when we could see it).
Very open style. Is that typical for LA?

Silly formulaic movie

Most of the character interactions and acting were awful

Scarlett Johannsson was awful

Only good interaction was the one between the chefs

Kinda sad that everyone loves unimaginative shit like this,
but it was definitely a cute movie

Good intentions, I guess

Kinda thought the food aspect was UNDER-explored, thought
the metaphors could have been stronger

For example, I think 'School of Rock' was waaaaay better in
this genre of movie...much more genuine

----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

Any flick that sniffs School of Rock quality is an automatic best-of-the-year contender.

Ironically, this film was like the menu that the critic slammed.

So to make a commentary about how critics are assholes and how the
powers-that-be stymie creativity in film, Favreau decides to make
a film with the awesomely original outline of:

a) Guy who does __ well, is now doing it for the wrong reasons

b) Guy has family issues, is divorced and a bad dad, down and out

c) Guy has a meltdown, goes somewhere, rediscovers love of ____

d) ___ brings guy and his family together

e) Guy is successful now because he re-evaluated his priorities, now
does ___ better and has his family


I mean, seriously, Frank. This was one of the least courageous movies
I've seen in years.

It had good jokes and tugged at the soul with its 'The Might Ducks'-ish
appeals to the pathos

But its a sad state of affairs when people think this trite shit is good

Ironically, its shit LIKE THIS THAT ARE THE REASONS why good writers
can't get any fucking jobs.

I think the reason people like it (myself included) is that it's likable. Not much deeper than that.

After dude leaves his job, there's essentially no story at all from there on. It's just watching a guy learn to be happy with his kid and friend. And of course the "father and son bond" and "man starts over his life, learns to be happy" stuff is unoriginal... but I'm fine with that. I love all manner of unoriginal subject matter, as long as I dig the execution. And I thought this was executed well.

>I think the reason people like it (myself included) is that
>it's likable. Not much deeper than that.
>
>After dude leaves his job, there's essentially no story at all
>from there on. It's just watching a guy learn to be happy with
>his kid and friend. And of course the "father and son bond"
>and "man starts over his life, learns to be happy" stuff is
>unoriginal... but I'm fine with that. I love all manner of
>unoriginal subject matter, as long as I dig the execution. And
>I thought this was executed well.

YOU said that Favreau was making a point about critics,
how the film was a metaphor for directing/acting, etc.

IM saying that is hilariously ironic, given that 'Chef' was
a cliche' heavy and melodramatic that followed a very safe
unambitious formula.

So the film was more like Dustin Hoffman's character than
it was like Jon Favreau's character. That is the definition
of irony.


----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

...that i hadn't seen in any other reviews.

"Chef" is literally the cinematic equivalent of the chocolate lava cake.

there's really nothing wrong with them...they're just a fucked-out cliche that's been done a million times.

but i'll eat the shit out of a lava cake if it's made by someone who knows what they're doing.

He's making sandwiches. Simple sandwiches done cheaply and well. Right? Isn't a Cubano just a slight variation on a pressed ham and cheese? I mean, I'd have to see the film again before diving into that point, as it's been a while since I've seen it.

I also seem to recall him defending chocolate lava cake to the critic, screaming that the critic doesn't even know what chocolate lava cake is. It doesn't really seem like he hates chocolate lava cake, he just hates being told to make it, as he's been making it for a while and doesn't like doing it anymore. But again, I don't really remember the specific words he uses, so I could be off.

Seeing as how Favreau has been making formula films for the studios for years now, I just don't really think him employing formula in his indie feel-good flick is all too surprising. Far more surprising was how much I enjoyed it, as I hadn't really enjoyed any of his output since Iron Man.

>but i'll eat the shit out of a lava cake if it's made by
>someone who knows what they're doing.

he tells ScarJo he doesn't want to put ahi tuna on his menu because it sells itself and lacks creativity. that's just like the "disgraced hero makes a comeback as an underdog and solves all his family problems" story line. but when you have fun characters, cut most of the filler, then add pretty pictures and great music cues, it still ends up being enjoyable.

ahi tuna is popular because it tastes good. I sort of alluded to that above, but may have picked an obtuse reference within the movie.

>>but i'll eat the shit out of a lava cake if it's made by
>>someone who knows what they're doing.
>
>he tells ScarJo he doesn't want to put ahi tuna on his menu
>because it sells itself and lacks creativity. that's just like
>the "disgraced hero makes a comeback as an underdog and solves
>all his family problems" story line. but when you have fun
>characters, cut most of the filler, then add pretty pictures
>and great music cues, it still ends up being enjoyable.

Nah, you liked the movie because it followed a formula
that you're accustomed to, didn't surprise you at all,
and delivered where it was supposed to. It had some good
jokes, and some good performances. I didn't say I hated it.
But it was trite and formulaic and forgettable.


NOW,

This would be FINE if Favreau wasn't self righteously trying
to shit on the film critic industry metaphorically.

HE'S the reason that GOOD chefs/writers/filmmakers can't get
jobs.

HE didn't challenge the audience at all.

He wrote a huggy, trite, formulaic movie with the self deprecating
white male protagonist with a 'heart'. Its lame.

Meanwhile, half this fucking board shit on 'Grand Budapest'
because "it was weird." Brown protagonist. Zero standard about
the story or setting. O_E has shit on Wes Anderson before,
and was blown away by that. I appreciated the effort, and
felt like I was watching a GENUINE attempt at making an honest,
fun film.

Like, the exact opposite of 'Chef'.

Film sucks because people are unimaginative, refuse to try to
challenge themselves in any way possible. And, of course,
studios deliver to people what they want.

Mind you -- I'm not even bitching about this, really. But it is
a fact. The only reason I sound salty is because Favreau is trying
to be self righteous.

----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

I saw "Chef" as him doing a basic ass stripped down good movie as opposed to "Cowboys & Aliens".

And I'm down with that.

Of course anybody who's a human was gonna know how it was gonna end.

But it was good.

I really enjoyed it though


>I saw "Chef" as him doing a basic ass stripped down good
>movie as opposed to "Cowboys & Aliens".
>
>And I'm down with that.
>
>Of course anybody who's a human was gonna know how it was
>gonna end.
>
>But it was good.

That was the entire movie.

And again, its ironic because this movie was trite
and formulaic just like the chefs that this flick
is making fun of.


----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

I agree with all of your formulaic critiques. But he wasn't saying he was better than the critics. He was saying he needed to get back to doing what he loves. That's why the critic isn't even the bad guy in the end (because this film has zero true antagonists) and he goes to work with him. THe heavy handed subtext wasn't "fuck these people judging COWBOYS AND ALIENS" (which was his defense of the lava cake). It was "yeah, you can run a restaurant, but this small shit is what really makes you happy."

>I agree with all of your formulaic critiques. But he wasn't
>saying he was better than the critics. He was saying he needed
>to get back to doing what he loves. That's why the critic
>isn't even the bad guy in the end (because this film has zero
>true antagonists) and he goes to work with him. THe heavy
>handed subtext wasn't "fuck these people judging COWBOYS AND
>ALIENS" (which was his defense of the lava cake). It was
>"yeah, you can run a restaurant, but this small shit is what
>really makes you happy."

"This small shit makes you happy" runs contrary to "do the
big things that everyone else is doing," and those big things
are cooking at fancy places, with unimaginative food that isn't
from the heart, isn't done with love, isn't done with a purpose.

So what you said and what I said aren't different.

----------------------------



O_E: "Acts like an asshole and posts with imperial disdain"




"I ORBITs the solar system, listenin..."

(C)Keith Murray, "

There is a lot to like about this and I think it will do very well on DVD/On Demand/TV etc...

Of course the food looks so tempting and mouth watering throughout.

Good supporting roles throughout but the female characters totally under-written. RDJ acting a douche - is like rolling out of bed in the morning for him.

The message of spending time with your son was a good positive theme to have.

The romance between his (ex) wife and john favreau was totally bogus and unnecessary especially the end but i guess if you are doing main stream summer movies then it has to be done.

Music was apposite but felt a bit too much - it fit tonally with the film.

A bit too much social media for me but i guess thats what 10 years old are like, right?

I swear....the soundtrack sounded like a mixtape that my friends would pass around in 1995.

Loved it.
Grade A

i agree with both sides Frank and others, AND O_E and Tenary

Never caught it in theaters but between the charming acting, the smooth pacing, the food porn, the pretty women, fantastic soundtrack, and being a service industry veteran myself, not only was there a lot to relate to with this movie for me personally but it's just a good, warm film to watch with a homemade cocktail(s) and girlfriend.


that said, all the filmmaker politics stuff does make for great discussion and this was a fun thread to read back over, so I figured I'd bump it both to give my props to the movie and the conversation it spawned here on PTP. good stuff all around.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

together

sends the wrong message to children of divorced parents

but anyway

liked it overall

that is all

>RE: I love this movie so much bump. that is all>

I didn't actually see until just last year, but I agree, after finally seeing it, it charmed the hell outta me for sure.

I love Chef and watch it all the time. It’s just such an easy, watchable flick that’s so fun.

But I agree with the above that it really didn’t need to get into the dark, stressful shit behind being a chef. Plus, now that The Bear exists, I’m not sure if anyone can do it better than that.

Sofia Vergara (given her character is cuban in the movie) made an effort to speak with an authentic cuban accent, which i totally appreciate (and definitely not everybody does--see: Steve Bauer and Andy Garcia as mexican drug bosses in Breaking Bad world/The Mule)