Film Review: "Chef" (2014).

“I may not do everything great in my life, but I'm good at this. I manage to touch people's lives with what I do and I want to share this with you.” Which is what Chef serves for you. This American comedy film is directed, co-produced, written by, and starring Jon Favreau. When a Miami-born workaholic chef Carl Casper is fired from the restaurant job in Los Angeles whose kitchen he manages, he returns to Miami and ends up fixing up a food truck he names 'El Jefe Cubanos.' He plans to drive across the country to reclaim his creative promise and success in LA, while piecing back together his estranged family.

The film co-stars Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sofía Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, and John Leguizamo. The performances in this film were all deliciously enjoyable and so individually flavored just like the meals presented in this film. Favreau's performance is so audacious that you have to fall in love with his unlikely hero. Downey, Jr. gave a fine and, typically and lovingly, whacky performance even though he only a minor role for his third collaboration with Favreau. Johansson, as well, gave a fine performance though having a minor role. Vergara gave a fantastic and 'spicy' performance. Hoffman gave his finest performance since Barney's Version (2010). Finally, Leguizamo gave the most hilarious and his finest performance yet.

Director Jon Favreau succeeds again with Chef, a stunningly crafted film with fast pacing, memorable characters, and overall good humor. A nearly flawless piece of popular art, as well as one of the most persuasive portraits of an artist ever committed to film. What makes this film such a hilarious and heartfelt wonder is the way Favreau contrives to let it sneak up on you. And get a load of those visuals, a perfect compliment to a delicious meal. For parents looking to spend time in a theater with their kids or adults who want something lighter and less testosterone-oriented than the usual summer fare, this film offers a savory main course. Favreau has taken the raw ingredients of an adult-comedy-oriented matinee and whipped them into a heady brew about nothing less than the principles of artistic creation. It's not just the culinary cuisines that are vibrant. It's also the well-rounded characters as well. I defy you to name another film so overflowing with superfluous beauty. To conclude, the film is free of the kind of gratuitous pop-culture references that plague so many movies of the genre; it tells a story, it's very much of our world but it never goes for the cheap, easy gag. Master chef, Favreau, has blended all the right ingredients -- abundant verbal and visual wit, genius slapstick timing, a soupcon of Gallic sophistication -- to produce a warm and irresistible concoction. Like the all the various cuisines that plays a key part in the film, it is a delectable blend of ingredients that tickles the palette and leaves you hungry for more. Thank you, Mr. Favreau.

Simon says Chef receives: