By Brittney Hensman (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 8, 2014
The Hundred-Foot Journey looks at two different regions of the world colliding in a compelling narrative wrapped around family and food.
After a tragic event, the tightly knit Kadam family are uprooted from their native home in India and look for a new beginning in the culinary arts. When the family blunders their way into a small town in southern France and opens up a restaurant, their cultural differences do not go unnoticed amongst the locals.
When the lively and colourful Maison Mumbai plants its vivacious façade only 100 feet from a famous Michelin-star restaurant renowned for its French fine dining and etiquette, there is war to be had. Restaurant owner Madame Mallory, played by Helen Mirren, is an ice queen who’s willing to do whatever it takes to see the Maison Mumbai crumble. It is only when she is made aware of the true culinary talent that lies within its walls that her perspective slowly begins to change.
The plot thickens when middle son Hassan, played by Manish Dayal, smiles his way into the heart of Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), Le Saule Pleureur’s sous chef. The entranced French chef finds herself at odds when she recognizes Hassan’s impeccable talent, but knows further friendship could put her success as a chef at stake.
The increasing tension between the family members, the duelling restaurant owners, and the blossoming love interest between the two young chefs will keep you on the edge of your seat. The cinematography of the scenic south France setting, paired with the bold colours of the Indian dishes, will leave your mouth drooling for Indian cuisine and your soul longing to explore the picturesque landscapes that compose this region. The endearing and quaint Parisian fashion and the eccentric and lively Indian energy that streams through each scene go above and beyond, providing a unique aesthetic that will please all your senses.
