Burnt

I was a bit afraid of the food snobbery. And as I like eating, I was consequently pretty disappointed. Except for a few dishes I did not have a feeling any of that would tickle my taste buds the way I wanted. Although Bradley Cooper, and not just him, really tried. There is nothing left to do but watch a year younger movie Chef, which carries in a similar vein, where I would eat everything the camera lens looked at. (2016-01-02)

The environment of Michelin restaurants interests me, so it was nice to get a glimpse of the movie version of it. More than the story – because it was pretty simple – I was of course intrigued by the goodies the chefs created on the plate. Shocking, and perfectly acted, were the hysterical scenes Bradley performed while doing so. Although I don't know if I would have enjoyed it had I seen the stress behind it. A weaker 4 stars, and I admit that the food is playing a big part in my rating. (2017-01-20)

Bradley Cooper's acting plasticity and vivaciousness is astonishing, but otherwise this slightly extremist-looking chase for a Michelin start is a bit too simple and too much for the average consumer who is content with the kebab next door but doesn't care much for delicacies. I would have imagined a less routine narrative and more interesting characters like the main one. At the very least Sienna Miller could have been, as could Daniel Bruhl, or the reprehensibly underused Alicia Vikander. These meals aren't about the process of eating, they're about emotion. I expect the same from the film, but the flaws are noticeable. (2016-04-09)

An interesting paradox. The cast was stacked with my favorite actors, yet the film didn't do much for me. Maybe it's because there are so many films about cooking and cooking shows and competitions, where there’s always some expert telling me that I eat the wrong way and even if the food’s healthy, the dish doesn’t look appetizing enough. All right, I get it. If your steak isn’t shaped like a swan, you are a food barbarian and should be ashamed of yourself! I did my basic military service, so I'm pleasantly surprised every time I'm served food that doesn't contain cockroaches and isn't burnt on one side and raw on the other. On the other hand, I understand that these films are important for restaurant owners, who can pretend that a tasting portion is a full-on meal. (2016-08-12)

There are boxes I will always enjoy watching get ticked, and a talented guy who destroys his talent in a fit of pride and euphoria is one of my favorites. I have no problem believing in such comebacks to the top, and only rarely does the template of a repentant jerk disappoint me. However, a well-written archetype is one thing; the failed culinary star played by Bradley Cooper is another. If anyone was born to play guys with a mischievous twinkle in their eye, ones you want to kill and kiss at the same time, it's him. The lesson about life mistakes that must eventually come to haunt you hasn't tasted this rich in a long time. Not to mention that Adriano Goldman's camera caresses all the treats of diverse names so gently that the result is a little treasure for everyone with open senses. (2015-10-26)