The hundred foot journey

"The hundred foot journey"

Watched English movie "The hundred foot journey". Direction Lasse Halström. Written by Steven Knight. Producers: Juliet Blake, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey. Music by A. R. Rehman. Cinematography Linus Sandgren. The film features Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon, Helen Mirren, Om Puri. Guest appearance Juhi Chawla. The movie runs for about 2 hours. I watched it on 28th May 2020 with Aditi and Mihika.

Om Puri (Papa Kadam, a Muslim) and his family migrate to France after losing his wife (Juhi) in religious riots and settle in a beautiful French village. Here they acquire a property and open an Indian restaurant, right opposite a French restaurant with 1 Michelin star. A rivalry is inevitable. 

How does the rivalry pan out? Will the Indian restaurant survive? Why is Michelin star so important? What is 100 foot journey?

The story is unique. It's about cuisine. French Vs Indian cuisine and French plus Indian cuisine. Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal), a cook, becomes friend of Marguerit (Charlotte Le Bon), a wannabe Chef. There is attraction and competition between them at the same time. Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) hates the Indians but recognizes Hassan's potential. Hassan wants to make a big name but also wants to go where he started in France. Director walks the fine line and avoids to over dramatize, doesn't let it become bland, doesn't make it too spicy. Everything is just right. Like a perfect recipe. 

Helen plays the character of Madame Mallory to the perfection. The jealousy, the sense of fair competition, the recognition of talent, willingness to give a hand, readiness to set free; she shows it all and very convincingly. She is omnipresent in this movie. Manish Dayal looks sweet in the beginning and dashing handsome later. He also plays character of gifted chef very well. Charlotte looks beautiful, she is very delicate and acts well. Om Puri is Om Puri.

Special mention should go to the Cinematography. The village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is picturesque, beautiful and serene. Out door Cinematography is very pleasant. The two restaurants opposite each other on a lonely road, vibrant fruits and vegetable market, the village, woods around the village; all look breathtaking. Indoor Cinematography is also very very good. Be it various appetizing dishes or colourful spices or ultra slow motion shots (like breaking off eggs, sprinkling of spices etc.); everything is perfect. 

This movie is based on a Novel by Richard C. Morris by same name. I haven't read the novel, but movie is very good. You get a sense of satisfaction after watching the movie. 

Recommend watching. Don't miss it.