Cuisine américaine

Besides having a few too many cliches, Cuisine Americaine is a delightful romp through the world of French cuisine from the viewpoint of the earnest and naturally talented American chef. Jason Lee is supported by a cast of excellent European character actors, and gives a stand-up performance. For those interested in food and cooking, this is a great movie, otherwise just try to have fun with the numerous story-lines. I would recommend this to half of my friends.

'American Cuisine' tries to do for French cuisine what 'Big Night' did for Italian cuisine and 'Eat Drink Man Woman' did for Chinese cuisine, but it lacks what those two films had - a plot. The movie is about a young American chef named Loren who goes to France to work in the kitchen of his idol, the famous Louis Boyer. It is meant to be a fast paced romp, but ends up a mess as new plot devices are thrown in every other minute. For example, Loren goes from being the slowest chef in the restaurant to taking charge of the operation when Louis Boyer goes mad. That is another implausability -- Boyer is eccentric at best, but certainly not crazy enough to shut down his restaurant or tear apart his family. No matter though. The movie's purpose was to show off the excitement of French culinary art, and it does that well. Plus, the performances by Eddy Mitchell as Chef Boyer, Irene Jacob as his daughter, and Isabelle Petit-Jacques as the nerve-wracked partner of the restaurant (was she also Boyer's wife?) are very charming. Jason Lee, on the other hand, seems to have been miscast. His performance was a bit amateurish. Still, the movie is worth a watch if only to see the food.

I like movies about food and this is why I liked this move very much. I also loved Tampopo or instance, even more than this movie. Anyhow, its a movie about learning a trade, about falling in love, about discovering talent, and growing it. There is a lot of talk in this movie, great little conversations. If you think that Chefs are not like this, I can tell you, they are! I have worked with many a chef like this one. I was dragged by the ear trough the kitchen, pointed out where I left spots. I was hit with the flat side on knives, My hand was put on the grill, believe me the chef in this movie is not anything special, nor especially weird. But I loved the movie. Pieter

Foodie movies like Big Night, Chocolat, Who Is Killing The Great Chefs Of Europe and Babette's Feast give cooks and those interested in the culinary arts great pleasure. Add to this TOO short list, American Cusine. There is plenty of kitchen time and watching Jason Lee formulate dishes is especially enjoyable for those who cook. American Cuisine is great fun to watch and Lee's comedic timing and ability to milk a funny line for all its worth really come in handy. Highly recommended to anyone who finds the kitchen even remotely interesting. Francophiles will also find this movie entertaining as it takes place in France and makes an attempt to defend American cooks.

A young.aspiring.master chef and his experience in France, near the chef inspiring his career. Cultural clashes, a lot of humor, a good fist of cliches and seductive. Eddy Mitchell as tough boss, protective father, not the most pleasant man and the pragmatic old friend.

Food and relations and more than interesting meet between Jason Lee and Eddy Mitchell, the beautiful job of Irene Jacob and few lovely unrealistic situations.

More than an easy romcom, a fair gallery of portraits, in French comedy style, reminding a simple, honest perspective about life and some reasonable questions , from the relation between Gabrielle and her fiance to the apparent improvised end.

But, sure, just charming.