Right off the bat, The Hundred Foot Journey has an amazing cast and it's their performances that make this an extremely entertaining film. From the subtle facial expressions to the overt shows of emotion, this movie hit a home run on the casting. The story centers around an Indian family that has left Bombay after the destruction of their restaurant. They are seeking somewhere else to live other than under the flight path of Heathrow Airport in London. They wind up in a small town in France and the father, Papa Kadam who is played by the amazing Om Puri falls in love with an abandoned structure and decides to buy it and turn it into a new family restaurant. The only catch is just across the road, a mere hundred feet away lies a highly celebrated restaurant owned and operated by Madame Mallory, played by the exquisite Helen Mirren. Her eatery has already earned a much coveted and seemingly impossible to earn Michelin Star and she desperately wants another. Papa however is undeterred because he feels he has an ace up his sleeve, that would be his son Hassan, played wonderfully by Manish Dayal. Hassan learned everything he knows about cooking from his mother but he doesn't refer to himself as a chef, he considers himself at first to be nothing more than a cook.
Papa opens up his restaurant and the hilarious rivalry begins in earnest. Mallory and Papa go toe to toe over zoning rights, animal vaccinations, and produce from the market. She bests Pap at first but he's a fast learner and eventually evens the score. That goes on as Hassan and the sous chef in Mallory's restaurant named Marguerite played charmingly by Charlotte Le Bon begin to fall for each other but it's not all picture perfect. The rivalry at one point turns racial and even potentially deadly, but that is handled with a deft and light handed touch by Lasse. That same skill is shown when the budding romance between Papa and Mallory comes to light, it will make you smile. Hassan goes from a cook to celebrated chef in Paris but seemingly loses his way. This is the only cliche part of the movie for you see what's coming next, at least I did. It did not detract from the charm this film exudes in any way thankfully. I just wish Hassan's brother Mansur played by Amit Shah and his lovely sister Mahira played by Farzana Dua Elahe were more fleshed out. The questions as to what happens to the restaurant when Hassan leaves is never adequately addressed in my opinion.
As I have said already, The Hundred Foot Journey is a beautiful film to look at. The lighting and camerawork was exceptional. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren did a wonderful job at not just capturing the landscape and quaintness of the small French town Saint Antonin, but also those moments in the kitchens where spices are being sprinkled into a dish and the food is being lovingly prepared. Be warned, this movie CAN make you hungry, I know it did me. The beautiful score provided by the two time Academy Award winning composer A. R. Rahman was the perfect accompaniment for what was on the screen. It possessed the magical blend of classical and Indian music that this playful score was built upon and which this movie was all about. It was a job well done, hats off to you Mr. Rahman. If you are a foodie then see this film, if you're not a foodie, see this film because it has the potential to convert one into a foodie. Best of all though, it will absolutely entertain you and if you have a burning desire to see a grown up movie, go buy a ticket to The Hundred Foot Journey, it will not disappoint. I'll see you at the theater.
"Grown up movie" <~YES!!! lol It engaged me, teased me, and made me pay attention with it's blend of subtle emotions, words unsaid, and beautiful imagery. Sexy, sweet, and almost delicate. The adult in me was for once left satisfied that a film had not insulted my intelligence. lol Thank you again for sharing the magic with me, M. :-)
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