“CHEF” ***
Internet has become modern society’s best friend, we know it. It is also a deadly weapon if one doesn’t know how to handle it and get control of it. As technology unites and set people apart for many reasons, it’s also a source of rescuing something or someone left unsolved. Taking a break from the blockbusters he’s been engaged to such as “Iron Man”, actor/director Jon Favreau’s surprisingly delightful new comedy is the definitive feel-good movie of the season. It brings a fresh breathe to the father and son storytelling, set on the hours of a great summer spent on a road trip. Of course, we have seen the story of father and son trying to reconnect many times before, but using modern issues, such as the Internet as the key element of the plot, and sarcastic perspectives on professional and personal relationships, Favreau demonstrates affection with the material within the irreverence and dark humor. It all begins with the title protagonist, a divorcee chef trying to make the best of it, anxious with the visit of a respected food critic in his restaurant, going down the hill after his menu isn’t appreciated at all by the famous writer. While his gorgeous ex-wife (played by Sofia Vergara) enjoys her mansion and many servants, he picks up his young boy on the weekends, but he never has time enough to really share moments of joy or discoveries with the kid; his mind is totally on his work and process of creating a new menu in order to satisfy his pride; until when he becomes interested in learning about Twitter and other social networks, responding to the critic’s insults and becoming infamous with his attitudes.
But his great and generous heart also brings everyone to his side, and persuaded by those, he decides crossing the country with an old food truck. His new investment becomes a hit everywhere they stop at, due to his culinary skills and for his son’s successful push marketing on the web. For bad or for worse, technology is the element that reunites father and son here, showing to Favreau’s character that the most important thing in his life, experiencing his kid’s childhood, has been avoided. But there’s still time to rescue that virtue and reconstruct the future. Set to amazing lively Cuban rhythms, an experience through the culture of faith, companionship and the colors and taste of Latin cuisine, the film is certain to entertain and conquer the hearts of the entire family. Among the great cast, John Leguizamo steals every scene he’s in, Robert Downey Jr. appears as a whacko businessman, veteran Dustin Hoffman, smoky Scarlett Johansson and handsome Bobby Cannavale are gathered in the kitchen, Oliver Platt is hilarious as the critic and young Emjay Anthony becomes our little hero as the kid who proves he’s more mature than anyone else.
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