Chef stars Jon Favreau as Carl Casper, a chef and a high end restaurant who is essentially bored from cooking the same food for restaurant owner Riva played by Dustin Hoffman for the past five years. He wants to try something new, something different, something off the menu when he gets word that one of the most influential food critics in LA, Ramsey Michel played by Oliver Platt will be dining at the restaurant. Riva nixes that idea using a very funny Rolling Stones analogy and the review was horrible. Carl's adorable son Percy played by Emjay Anthony introduces his father to twitter and all hell breaks loose. While it's not an original concept, an out of touch with technology parent being introduced to the current wave of social media by their precocious child, the writing is entertaining and the acting is well done.
John Leguizamo plays Martin, Carl's right hand man in the kitchen and vows to drop everything, whatever he's doing to work with Carl again when Carl's career hits a rough patch, and Martin does just that. Bobby Carnivale stars as Tony, Carl's sous chef who then becomes head chef, the funny thing about that is when we first meet Tony, he doesn't seem like the kind of guy any restaurateur would want anywhere near their kitchen. Scarlett Johnasson plays Molly, the host in Riva's restaurant, Sofia Vergara plays Carl's lovely and charming ex-wife Inez, who honestly has never looked better. Rounding out the cast is a hilarious appearance by Robert Downey Jr. who plays Marvin, Inez' ex husband. It was nice seeing Jon and Robert reunite, Robert more than likely just repaying a favor to Jon who directed Robert in the first two Iron Man movies.
Now, my only criticism with Chef is at times this movie was really dark, I mean really dark. I don't know what went on with the lighting in certain points of this movie but most of the interior shots were in need of some serious light. Thankfully the writing and the acting was so good, it distracts you from the bad lighting. The cinematography by Kramer Morganthau more times that not is perfect. His shots of the food being prepared and then plated almost turned me into a foodie. The eclectic music from various artists gives Chef a truly funky feel and it's a soundtrack I highly recommend. Honestly, the lighting is this movie's only drawback. Other than that, Chef is a great movie, crafted to entertain as well as educate, and it let's you know that second chances are indeed possible. Go see it, and I'll see you at the theater.
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