Chef

In my mind Raja Krishna Menon's 'Chef' will be remembered as the movie that helped Saif Ali Khan get his mojo back. Mr. Khan's acting career has been suffering for the last few years. Some bad luck and some worse decisions have led to some awful films. While his last release 'Rangoon' was decent it didn't help his prospects at the movies. With Chef he finds himself again…much like his character does.

Chef, a remake of Jon Favreau's 2014 movie by the same name, is about Roshan, a chef in New York City going through a midlife crisis. After finally achieving his dreams of running a kitchen he is now in a slump. His work doesn't excite him, he has lost his passion for cooking, and his emotions are out of control. An impulsive decision takes him to Kochi, India where he reunites with his ex-wife and son. While trying to make up for lost time and bonding with his son Roshan gets a new lease on life.

Director Raja Krishna Menon has weaved a simple tale about family, fighting for your dreams, and what it means to find contentment. The tone, throughout the movie, is mellow and soft. While this does make you restless at times it's also why the film works to a certain extent. Moments such as the North Indian father being shocked that his son had never eaten chole bhature bring a smile to your face. I also enjoyed the relationships in the movie. The father-son bond as well as the exes' dynamic was rather refreshing and stayed away from dramatic clichés.

The biggest takeaway from the movie is Saif Ali Khan. He sinks his teeth into the role and delivers a fully realized character complete with faults and dad humor. It's his most restrained and real performance in years. Padmapriya Janakiraman, who plays Roshan's estranged wife Radha, is quite good as well as is the young actor who plays their son. The music is soothing in the moment but not particularly memorable. The camera captures some beautiful shots of Kochi, a place you don't normally see in North Indian films.

This is a slow movie, no two words on that. Solutions to problems are convenient and relationships are mended too easily. But if you enjoy gentle stories about characters finding themselves chances are this will satisfy that craving.

Its a nice movie and shows bond and love of father who is confuse so they are on way to find something good

As someone who just finished watching "Chef" I must say it was a delightful experience filled with warmth, humor, and mouth-watering food. Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, this film is a remake of the 2014 Hollywood movie of the same name, with a unique Indian twist."Chef" (2017) follows the story of Roshan Kalra (played by Saif Ali Khan), a talented but temperamental chef who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption after a public altercation with a food critic goes viral. Along the way, he reconnects with his son and rediscovers his passion for cooking, culminating in a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and second chances. While "Chef" (2017) stays true to the spirit of the original film, it also adds its own distinct flavor, thanks in part to its Indian setting and cultural nuances. The film beautifully captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of India, from the bustling streets of Delhi to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story. Saif Ali Khan delivers a standout performance as Roshan Kalra, bringing a perfect blend of charisma, vulnerability, and charm to the role. His chemistry with the rest of the cast, including Svar Kamble as his son Armaan and Padmapriya Janakiraman as his love interest Radha, is palpable, adding an emotional resonance to the film. In terms of comparison with the original "Chef" (2014), both films have their own unique strengths and qualities. While the 2014 version may have a slight edge in terms of its screenplay and pacing, the 2017 adaptation excels in its cultural specificity and the chemistry between its lead actors. Ultimately, both films are equally enjoyable and serve as heartfelt celebrations of food, family, and the joys of life. In conclusion, "Chef" (2017) is a delightful cinematic treat that satisfies the senses and warms the heart. With its charming performances, beautiful cinematography, and mouth-watering food, it's a must-watch for anyone who appreciates good storytelling and a good meal. Whether you're a fan of the original film or new to the story, "Chef" (2017) is sure to leave you smiling and craving for more.

Chef is a remake of Jon Favreau's Chef (2014), I had seen the movie and have loved it, For its simplicity and great coming of age story where food was one of the characters. The remake Chef of Saif Ali Khan is mediocre, The movie is not engaging its takes a lot of time to get the audience invested in the main character which to me sounded and behaved like an asshole at the beginning of the movie. The journey of the main lead of self discovery is forced and get your attention right at the last 30 minutes of the movie. The movie has been beautifully shot and some of the visuals are stunning. Milind Soman/Dhanish Karthik and Padmapriya are excellent. Svar Kamble is fine as Saif Ali Khan kid, Being portrayed as a school going kid should have much shorter hair. Over all its a Mediocre remake of a far Superior movie

The story is about the beauty and simplicity of life made unnecessarily complicated by our own choice of joining the rat race. The story is about priorities in life. I loved watching this movie, even the second time. One of the best in the recent times. The narration is intelligent, even paced and I thought the cast was well thought through, especially the Bangladeshi and the various Mallu characters, each one playing their part to perfection. Milind Soman plays his part but I cant help objectifying him a small bit. He really is a balm to sore eyes.

The script, screenplay, the direction and the actors have come together in a rare synergy to bring out the various issues in modern day life in a realistic way. The characterisation is brilliant. The underlying or should I say the overlying quirky humour throughout deserves its own mention. But it is also to be said that maybe being aware of the typical types of behaviour of people from Bangladesh and more specifically Malyalees prompted my bursts of laughter throughout the movie.

Watch out for the detailing of characters 'Nazrul' and 'Alex'. Actually it is difficult to find any flaw or loopholes in the detailing in any frame. The director has managed to bring out the nuances of a Kerala town life well enough for even a non-mallu to enjoy it.

It is a wonderful movie and initially the movie bombing perplexed me, but now I am just disappointed. I know there is a sizable portion of intelligent audience in India, where are they? How can this movie bomb? I don't know if it was the marketing or the lack of it. Did the actors miss going to stupid chat shows and prance around to promote their movie or did they miss making multiple mini trailers? Or was it just the naming of the movie? Whatever it was, it is just sad that such a wonderful movie is not reaching the right audience, whereas a brainless crass remake of an absolute dud original is a hit. I pity the standard of our audience. I really wish it rises up one tiny notch. The whole thing feels like sabotage.

Anyway I loved 'Chef', nothing underplayed and nothing overdone, everything just perfect. Is that not what a great chef is supposed to do!