Im Rausch der Sterne

An absolutely dry, flavourless & unsavoury meal that exhibits not an ounce of love for culinary arts despite the spectacular looking meals it keeps putting on the screen, Burnt lacks the craft, passion & dedication that goes into creating a great product and is only about an arrogant man's obsession with culinary fame & perfection without ever illustrating his love for what he does.

Burnt tells the story of Adam Jones who was once an up-and-coming chef in a Parisian restaurant before his drug habits screwed his career, following which he disappeared from the scene for few years to sober up, but finally returns to reclaim his lost glory. But plenty has changed in the world of cooking during his absence and to redeem himself, Jones has to either adapt or perish.

Directed by John Wells, the story of Burnt is simple, predictable & boring plus its lead character is uninteresting & unlikable. Written by Steven Knight, it's evident that it is inspired from the works of volatile chefs like Gordon Ramsay & Marco Pierre White but while it infuses their notorious kitchen rants, it fails to include the heart & love those chefs put in every cuisine they bring on the table.

Production design team does a marvellous job in recreating the sumptuous atmosphere of premier restaurants. Cinematography aims for the elegant look of those exquisite dishes but misses out by some fraction. Editing keeps the story on the same level with no excitement or escalation. Music is forgettable. And as far as performances go, the entire cast gives off the feeling that none of them wanted to be in it.

On an overall scale, Burnt fails to make its mark and is a dull, monotonous tale with tiny glimpses of mesmerising moments that don't amount to much in the end. Lacking the necessary prepping plus culinary skills & controlled cooking, it's astonishing how Burnt ends up being a burnt mess despite never switching on the stove at any given time for all it attempts to do is to serve its audience an unappetising, inedible picture that looks elegant only because of its fine garnishing.

This gem of a movie came out in 2015. Quick cuts initially, focused on the story of the movie and not wasting the viewers time to set up the film. For people who like indie films with a setup and purpose this has been living in the shadows for a lot of people who enjoy films. I am biased towards films that have an indie feel to it and have great music playing in the background.

This film is a great watch for viewers who are interested in what goes behind in making fine dining food and showing it as an indie movie. Bradley cooper plays the part of "genius who threw it all away" very well. The "gifted but tormented" trope may have been used by a lot of film makers but a few have been able to justify it. And this film certainly does it with style. This redemption story comes with its set of subtle twists and turns. But it keeps the story centered on the heart of the film. Watch it if you like food, what goes on in making great food and people who strive for perfection in making that food.

A must see for those interested in the inner workings of a restaurant kitchen and the world of high end chefs. Most people have no clue what it is like to be at the top of the restaurant world or how difficult it is to be in this type of a service profession. The intense pressure they put on themselves to be "perfect". Is the movie a bit disjointed along the way, yes but the acting is stellar and its worth it just to see the food prep and get the overwhelming inside experience. Bradley Cooper is fantastic! Very good supporting actors. Many of them are unknowns. The kitchen scenes are the best. Watching the process and the artistry is a unique peek behind the kitchen doors. Go see this one!!

Burnt is a film about a chef (Bradley Cooper) who opens a high-end restaurant after being fired from his previous one. The kitchen heats up as he battles with his overworked team while dealing with his own inner demons. The film is a mix of passion and self-destruction, with a talented cast led by Cooper. The plot may not be very interesting, but the visuals and the intense kitchen scenes are enough to make you want to watch the movie.

Cooper shines in Burnt, playing a character who is flawed but determined. The world of high-end fine dining is in full swing, with tantalizing visuals that will tantalize your tastebuds. Burnt might not be a great film, but it is a satisfying drama for drama lovers.

John Wells helms a good movie, but he doesn't have a big rad plot to save him. A washed out burnt down Chef has cleaned up, buffed his act up, and put himself together in an endeavour to pursue perfection. He is reaching out for a third Michelin star and anything less would end up getting burnt by his wrath.

So we know how recalcitrant chefs are. Seen enough Gordon Ramsay to reach that conclusion. Bradley as Adam Jones touches that nerve wrecking breakdown to achieve what he has planned to do. He shouts, despises, scorns and insults his crew to get their juices running. He doesn't care how evil he might look or sound while trying to get results. He is unaffected by emotions, reckless with his life but careful with the food he is preparing. If his preparation doesn't meet the standard in his head, he flings it away and doesn't even hold himself from bashing it to the wall.

He might be a man with a mission, but he is arrogant, mean and a heartless prick. He is also in a huge drug debt which gawks him from a distance, and occasionally batters him up good. He is trying hard to reach it, and there is always someone or something that messes him up and compels him to start at Ground Zero.

What is quite interesting to watch is the brilliant presentation of its frames. The food shown in Burnt will at once make you hungry. There are great close up shots that will sizzle your palates. But everything disappears leaving you wanting for more. Also, there isn't one great recipe that is highlighted marvelously or shown being cooked proper which will bum foodies out. The story lacks substance which is sad. Screenplay of the flick is good. The score is kind of okay, but could have used some more depth.

Cooper fans are gonna love him in this new avatar. His acting is still very engaging. His dramatic bits are great to watch and Siena Miller complements him yet again quite beautifully. Daniel Bruhl plays Tony beautifully too. Emma Thompson has been given some marvelous lines, while Alicia Vikander has kind of a cameo in there.

Remember the golden rule to truly enjoy anything: Don't compare! Burnt shouldn't be compared with other similar culinary movies in the library and you might relish it.