Chef is a Real Treat

Director, writer and actor Jon Favreau (director of Elf and Iron Man) cooks up a heart-warming and flavorful film in Chef.

If you want to see something fun, light, and heart-warming this summer, then go see Chef because it’s the feel-good film of the year. Jon Favreau steps away from the special effects, superheroes and elf tights to give us a great film about family, friends and food. Favreau directs, writes, co-produces and acts in this delicious film. He also serves us up a charming cast (Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt, Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Downey Jr.) and a sharp script. 

We meet Carl Casper (Favreau) a Miami-born chef who is trying to prove himself in Los Angeles, but in the process divorces his wife (Vergara) and is distant from his son due to his workaholicsim. Carl has a passion for food and wants to create new recipes just like an artist. Unfortunately, his boss (Hoffman) does not want the new food but the old food, A.KA. the classics. So when famous food critic and blogger, Ramsey Michel (Platt), comes by to dine, instead he is treated with old and unappetizing food. Ramsey is disgusted and disappointed with Carl, so he writes him a nasty review. Carl is furious and ends up finding his way to Twitter through his son, Percy, who sets him up with an account not knowing what his father is about to do. Carl is unaware of the power of social media and ends up slamming Ramsey online and in the process loses his temper and his job. 

Carl has nothing: He has lost his wife, his job and his passion for cooking. Eventually, his ex-wife, Inez, talks him into going with her and Percy to Miami to turn his life in the right direction. Carl agrees and heads to Miami to start up his own food truck company to re-ignite his passion for cooking. In the process, his son Percy and best friend Martin (Leguizamo) join him on this grand road trip. From there the film leads into a fun and heart-warming adventure. Chef reminds us the importance in a father-son relationship and the beauty behind it. Favreau shows us the right amount of screen time between Carl and Percy to let their bond grow through the film. It’s a rather honest and touching film about being a good father and Favreau hits all the right marks. His performance is energetic and funny. Favreau knows when and where to drop in the right kind of humor to keep the film lively. 

Favreau cooks up a delicious and appetizing film that will make filmgoers satisfied everywhere, plus, a hilarious cameo by Downey Jr. Chef is not just a film about food, it’s about friendship, passion and artistry. Audiences everywhere will be craving Chef. Go see this film … you won’t be disappointed. Eat. Drink. Go watch Chef. 
Bon-appétit.