The Hundred-Foot Journey

I had not planned to watch this movie. It was just out of pure boredom that I opened my local newspaper to check for the list of movie shows in the next hour and decided to go for it. There was a show of The Hundred- Foot Journey and am I glad that I went to watch it.

The director was able to successfully depict the initial struggle of an Indian family, that has moved to France, after losing their matriarch to the fires of the local riots; their belligerent yet funny competition and subsequent truce with the owner of a local and famous restaurant right opposite theirs; and finally nurturing the talent of the Indian boy who had a gift of cooking by the very same French lady and his rise to stardom .

The film also has a touching moment that all the people staying away from their loved ones must have felt in their lives. Actor Manish Dayal did a splendid role in that scene and gave a good performance,overall. The trio of Om Puri, Helen Mirren and Charlotte Le Bon did a splendid job and kept me laughing(Puri and Mirren to be specific) and intrigued the whole time. Not a moment of boredom.

Charlote Le Bon is not only an ocean of talent, but, is insanely gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing her in more movies.

The only thing which bothered me a little bit about this movie was that the restaurant owner of a French restaurant somewhere in the countryside is played by an English actress. And I love Helen Mirren. There are some weird language situations which do not make sense. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this little comedy about two of my favorite foods. I could not decide on which side of the street I wanted to eat.

As a senior citizen myself I am always happy when a movie is carried by people my age. And boy do Helen Mirren and Om Puri carry this movie. If you want to spend pleasant two hours in the company of entertaining people and pictures of delicious food, you will have a good time seeing this movie.

I do know the adapted book. But the film is obvious a delight. Sure, the temptation of critic is not small but the basic virtue of film is to be lovely. Not convincing, not complex. Just lovely. And it has few atu who are more than significant, from the performances to the flavors escaping from screen. It has, in same measure , a seductive "spice" - the meet between Hellen Mirren and Om Puri. Short, it represents a real delight. The photography is one of proofs.

The hundred foot journey

  A fabulous meal is incomplete without a word of compliment to the chef.   The fine dining etiquettes might not mention anything about the compliments to the chef. But a fabulous meal is the one which serves the correct amount of flavors satisfying your soul. And when a soul is satisfied you praise..  

Such a meal is served when you see the movie, 'the hundred foot journey'. And so is the flavor correctly served at all times throughout the movie that it binds you through all five courses of your meal. The actors Om puri and Helen  do a fabulous job by providing that correct masala to the french cheesy love story of Hassan and Marguerite.  

The film is beautifully shot with good writing. Overall the movie is a good watch for audience willing to watch something different than normal tadka films being served to them.

This movie is filled with the joys and sorrows that accompany a full life. The acting is excellent. I could not fault a single actor. Even those delivering one liners seemed divested in the story. The photography and music are spectacular. A. R. Rahman showed even more depth and diversity than usual in his deep and varied score, and I kept wishing that I could freeze frame some of the amazing shots from the film so that I could take them home to use as inspiration for a painting. Plus, food has never looked more yummy! The story is touching and kept my interest from beginning to end. The messages contained within are subtle but definitely there, and they are positive and uplifting, which is a welcome change in today's challenging world. I fell in love with it all! Kudos! Kudos! Kudos to all!