Chef Review

Grade: A
One-Liner: Almost as fun to watch as they were having in the kitchen.

I enjoy the thrill of a superhero epic or the nail-biting suspense of a good thriller just as much as the next person, but the best movies come when the heighten drama is stripped away, and at its core, a film just tells a good story.

Not only was Chef that movie, but it also perfectly mirrored the journey of main character Carl Casper. It didn't come from a big studio, it didn't make a huge deal about featuring A-Listers like Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Sofia Vergara, and it didn't rely on melodramatic plot twists and conflicts to tell the story.

Just like Carl Casper's simplified yet delicious Cuban sandwich, the film's pure heart drew me in and left me wanting more. Jon Favreau thrived in his best, most believable role yet as a chef whose passion for cooking had fallen on hard times, bossy employers, and a particularly biting food critic. Sure, it seemed a bit far-fetched that much of the movie was spent poking fun at his weight and he still managed to land both Johansson and Vergara, but they do say the quickest way to someone's heart is through their stomach.

The story remained fast-paced as Carl and his son Percy (Emjay Anthony) traveled cross-country with pal Martin (endearingly portrayed by a flaw-free John Leguizamo). Each city was authentically depicted and fans of Miami, New Orleans, and Austin are sure to be delighted, seeing their favorite sites.

If you want a store-bought meal, head out to see one of this year's big blockbusters, but for home cooked originality, check out Chef.