In Review: "The Hundred-foot Journey"

In Review: "The Hundred-Foot Journey"

Only after seeing this movie did I realize this summer has been a really bad movie summer. Like really not good. Sure, my geeky side loved "Guardians of the Galaxy" and have know added Chris Pratt to my list of superhero crushes (including Andrew Garfield, Chris Hemsworth, and Henry Cavill), but I haven't seen many really good, review-worthy movies that I dart home to my computer to scribble down something. Not until this one.

"The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a member of the food film genre, a rich genre that does tend to get forgotten and put into the independent film category that no one ever remembers, except for film buffs like me. But this film just summed up why food films need to be brought to the center of attention - food is about life.

The Story

The Kadam family owns a small but thriving family restaurant in India until an attack forces them to move to France in search of food with soul and a place to rebuild their lives. They are lead to a small French town and a broken down old restaurant across the street from a very famous classic French cuisine restaurant run by Helen Mirren. The Kadam family, with food protege and youngest son Hassan as the head chef of the family's kitchen, must learn how to fight back against Mirren's tactics to bring the family and their restaurant down.

Along the way, Hassan learns more about the range of his talent, meets Marguerite, a sous-chef at Mirren's restaurant, and finds the meaning of why food is so powerful in the right hands. It brings us home.

The Stars

Helen Mirren is Helen Mirren. I'm just gonna assume all of you know how spectacular this woman is. Manish Dayal, who plays Hassan, is a newcomer to the world of the silver screen, only having been in a couple small roles. Dayal brings beautiful passion to this film. As the hero of the film, we are constantly rooting for Hassan and trying to figure out what is going on in that head of his. Dayal is able to flawlessly show his vulnerability which makes us feel for Hassan in real way. Om Puri, who places the father of the Kadam family, perfectly portrays the hotheaded guardian who only wants to protect and fight for his family. His character has great transformation in this film and it flows naturally for Puri.

The Message

There is a very simple and complex term in food films called the Madeleine. The Madeleine is different for every person and many people have more than one. It is a food that is connected to a memory, and the memory is so strong that the intense the food touches your tongue, you are transported to this time and place of your memory.

"Ratatouille" has a fantastic example of how this actually works.

Have you ever had that? Hassan has one too in this film after he tastes a traditional Indian dish.

Madeleines just show how powerful food is. It can introduce us to new cultures, new places, new people. It can bring us back to a time and place that we used to know. There is tons of research on why it is so critical that families share at least one meal together at a table every day. That is because sharing food with someone changes you. Together you are having the same wonderful experiences and you are able to share them.

This film also stresses the importance of never forgetting where you come from. Even if you are exiled because you are the only one on the block who speaks a different language, listens to different music, has different clothing, and eats different foods, you should never be ashamed of who you are and the place and people who raised you. You are always welcome to go out and explore the expansive world and try all new things, but never forget to come back and remind those people who raised you how much they mean to you.

Overall

I know exactly why I love this movie so much. The director, Lasse Hallstrom, also directed "Chocolat" (2000) and (1993), "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" (2009). Only two of the most heartfelt films I have ever seen, and one is also a food film. No wonder this one was so good.

Like I said, it has been my favorite movie this summer. I recommend it to anyone who loves food. You don't have to be a chef or know anything about French and Indian culture. Because just like good food, this movie will leave you feeling completely satisfied.

Other Food Films (now that I have you thinking about good food films):
-Babette's Feast (1987)
-Chocolat (2000)
-Mostly Martha (2001) or No Reservations (2007) (same movie but one is in German and one is in English)
-Big Night (1996)
-Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
-Julie and Julia (2006)
-Tortilla Soup (2001)
-Waitress (2007)
-Fried Green Tomatoes (2007)
-Pieces of April (2003)
-Soul Food (1997)