You may be familiar with director Jon Favreau's previous work. If you've seen 'Elf', 'Iron Man' or 'Cowboys & Aliens' then you may have come to expect a certain style of filmmaking from him. 'Chef' throws any such preconceived notions out the window.

 

Favreau does away with grandiose spectacle and crafts a small, charming film about art and art criticism with food and cooking as the metaphor. If you think that sounds familiar, you are right. 'Chef' is very similar in its heart and message to 'Ratatouille'. More so than 'Ratatouille', however, 'Chef' is a very personal film and you can sense how close the film is to Favreau's heart.

 

The main protagonist, Carl Casper, and his passion for food not only mirrors closely Favreau's role as director but is played by Favreau himself. And he does a seemingly effortless job too, holding his own against such stars as Scarlet Johansson, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Downey, Jr. Perhaps this is because none of them have much more than a cameo. Favreau is the heart and soul of 'Chef'- in addition to acting and directing, he also wrote the film- and Carl Casper is the heart and soul of its plot. There is much to be read from a film so clearly designed as a commentary on its own creation.

 

The plot at first seems to revolve around Casper's reaction to a negative review, and at this point it seems to be headed on a very similar trajectory to 'Ratatouille'. Yet a sharp change in direction in the second act reveals Favreau's answer to the film's questions about art creation and passion. Because it is with Casper's relationship with his son, Percy, that the film finds its charm and hits its stride.

 

Hidden beneath is a message that sharing your passion for creation is more important than earning approval. It was the amount of love poured into making 'Chef' that struck me most.

 

Other aspects such as plot, pacing and characterisation don't always get it right, and the ending in particular I found slightly confusing. But it's hard not to love a film that makes you smile and 'Chef' is definitely that. Like the copious amounts of foodporn in the film, 'Chef' is delicious.

 

This time Favreau has cooked us a delight.

 

Score: 8.5/10

Published: May 22nd, 2014