THE CHEF (Comme un chef) (2012)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Daniel Cohen
Cast: Jean Reno, Michaël Youn, Raphaëlle Agogué, Julien Boisselier, Salomé Stévenin, Serge Larivière, Issa Doumbia, Bun-hay Mean, Pierre Vernier, Santiago Segura
RunTime: 1 hr 24 mins
Rating: TBA
Released By: Golden Village
Official Website: http://comme-un-chef.gaumont.fr/

Screening Dates: 13, 15 - 16, 17 and 19 September 2012 (Mini French Film Festival)

Synopsis:  A veteran chef faces off against his restaurant group's new CEO, who wants to the establishment to lose a star from its rating in order to bring in a younger chef who specializes in molecular gastronomy.

Movie Review:

You don’t need the most discerning of palates to appreciate this soufflé-light French comedy set in the world of haute cuisine. In this country of stars – Michelin stars that is – food is not simply a means of sustenance, but one of the true pleasures in life – indeed, the former is often described in how subtly and expertly it brings out the tastes of the latter. And certainly screenwriters Daniel Cohen and Olivier Dazat understand this perfectly well, creating a delightful slice of entertainment that uses its culinary lessons to impart some about life itself.

Veteran French actor Jean Reno is an unlikely choice for a comedic role, but he is perfectly cast here as the renowned chef Alexander Lagarde facing a professional crisis. In spite of his fame – a restaurant in his name and his own live celebrity chef TV programme – the helmer of the three-star Cargo Lagarde is now regarded as a relic from a different era. Instead, Stanislaw (Julien Boisselier) banks the future of the restaurant on the pretentious Cyril Boss (James Gerard), whose newfangled technique of molecular gastronomy has Stanislaw fascinated.

It is precisely at this turning point in his life that Alexander meets young upstart Jacky (Michael Youn), a self-taught wannabe chef that is undoubtedly talented but much too finicky for his own good. He also happens to be Alexander’s biggest fan, and who proves to be more familiar with Alexander’s recipes than Alexander himself – yet in spite of his stubbornness, manages to earn enough of Alexander’s respect for him to appoint Jacky his second-in-command at Lagarde.  

Some of the best moments of the film come from their ensuing interaction, as Alexander quickly realises that respect does not necessarily translate to deference. Not only does Jacky refuse to follow his instructions wholesale, he even modifies Alexander’s original recipes, claiming that they are a step up from what Alexander had intended. Reno and Youn have great chemistry with each other, their frequent verbal sparring delivered with verve, rhythm and spontaneity.

They are equally good when their characters work with – rather than against – each other, and a particularly enjoyable sequence has them disguised as Japanese dignitaries to try out Stanislaw’s cuisine at his own restaurant.  Supporting characters also add a dash of zing to these two main acts, in particular three chefs at an old people’s home Jacky takes it upon himself to coach in the culinary arts as well as a supposed Spanish expert in molecular cuisine who proceeds to turn the kitchen into a mini chemistry lab.

But more than just humour, ‘The Chef’ is surprisingly packed with heart too. Both Alexander and Jacky have to confront their own domestic issues as well. For Alexander, it’s about trying to be less as an absentee father to his daughter; and for Jacky, it’s about making amends to his pregnant girlfriend Béatrice (Raphaëlle Agogué) after lying about his unpaid internship at Cargo Lagarde. Both will come to realise how family is that one key ingredient in life that is most important, and through that find inspiration for the new Spring menu on which hinges the future of their professional lives.  Perfunctory though it may be, but these subplots no doubt enhance the feel-good experience of watching this film.

And really, that experience isn’t one you need a sophisticated palette to enjoy. Rather Cohen, who also directs the movie, keeps the mood light and frothy, the laughs sweet and sharp, and the characters lively and interesting – with the added plus of giving its audience a peek into the workings of the restaurant world. It is not only one of the most accessible French films we’ve seen this year, it’s quite simply one of the most enjoyable – though we’d advise you not to watch it on an empty stomach. 

Movie Rating:

(Delightful soufflé-light entertainment that tickles and charms no matter your palette preference)

Review by Gabriel Chong