Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Written by Steven Knight (based off novel by Richard C. Morais)
Starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Charlotte Le Bon
‘An Overlooked Gem’
Everyone has a dream. An accomplishment or goal that they aim to achieve in life. Whether it’s having a successful career or gaining the fame of a celebrity, it takes hard work to reach the finish-line in life.
Yet, sometimes, things get in the way when one wants their dream to come true. For Hassan in the latest comedy “The Hundred-Foot Journey”, that obstacle is his strict Indian family. A talented young man who is fascinated by the art of cooking, Hassan’s dream in life is to become a professional chef. When his family moves in next door to a famous French cuisine, at first it seems like an opportunity for success. However, problems start to kick in when Hassan’s father opens an Indian restaurant to compete with the French. As the tension between the two heats up, Hassan is faced with a decision that may change his life. Will he stand by his family’s restaurant or give up his culture to pursue a career in French cooking?
This story sets the mood for one of the more overlooked movies this year, “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. A charming, funny and revealing look at the Indian lifestyle, this coming-of-age story sits as of right now at an underwhelming 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. From a website that’s been known for stirring controversy based on it’s ratings, it’s a score that barely recommends the movie. Even when the writing is splendid, the acting a joy to watch and the soundtrack beautifully melodious, the movie still sits at that low score. Yet does it deserve it? Without a doubt, not. Especially from a website that has over the years become the go-to-guide for seeing movies.
That’s not to say, though, that it’s the first time that Rotten Tomatoes has missed the opportunity to recognize a valuable film. Over the last decade or so, it has undervalued the quality of many great movies and in the process given high scores to films that don’t quite deserve them. Yet, in the end, I guess it all comes down to opinion. As seen by the score of “The Hundred-Foot Journey”, not everyone has been enthusiastic about this film. However, if you avoid these ratings and go into the movie with an open mind, chances are you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Especially if you are interested in learning about the Indian lifestyle. From the spicy foods to the emphasis that is placed on spending time with family, director Lasse Hallstrom pulls of an impressive job of bringing to life the culture of the country. It’s not an easy job, for a filmmaker who hasn’t grown up in India, to create a realistic portrait of it’s people. If you’re targeting a Western audience, it’s even more challenging. Yet, from the very first encounter we have with the Indians down to the final goodbye, Lasse Hallstrom makes it all look realistic. This way, it’s easy to relate to the characters, laugh at the jokes and understand the gist of the story even if you’re not from India.
The humor springs out of a magnificent script, which features witty back-and-forth banters between two key characters. One is a proud Indian father whose every remark is absolutely hilarious, while the other is a critical French woman who runs an elaborate restaurant. Both are brought to life by excellent actors, who make every scene in the film a joy to watch.
On the one hand, Helen Mirren may have become old in age, but it just doesn’t affect her acting. A powerful screen presence, she steals every scene she’s in. The same can be said of Om Puri, a world-renowned Indian star, who charms your socks off despite being past his prime. In the industry of Hollywood, after reaching a certain age it is often hard for actors to excel in their fields. What makes the stars in this film so impressive, is that they are at the top of their game regardless of age.
Yet, having such strong performers on board comes with a problem: what happens when they’re not onscreen? Unfortunately, the movie loses steam during it’s second-half. For a good hour or so, it’s highly entertaining to watch the acting but once the film enters it’s final act that excitement is gone. Although propelled by a superb performance from newcomer Manish Dayal, a subplot involving homesick memories feels completely out-of-place.
However, in a Summer that’s been filled with throwaway blockbusters, it’s undeniably refreshing to see a movie that’s more than just pass-time entertainment. A movie that has been made out of passion, not just to grab cash out of your pocket.
As delicious as an Indian dish, it’s an inspiring reminder that no dream in the world that requires going on a hundred-foot journey is impossible to accomplish that I will forever cherish.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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