Jon Favreau delivered an unexpected delight, and my second favorite movie of the year so far, with Chef, the tale of an L.A.-based chef who reconnects with both his love of cooking and his son.
Chef is a smart comedy, a tender film about family, a sumptuous travelogue and one of the best foodie movies ever made. You will never look at a grilled cheese sandwich quite the same way again.
The bulk of the film follows a food truck road trip with stops in Miami, New Orleans and Austin — three cities rich with great food and great music. It has a quality that even many great films lack… it makes you want to live within its frame.
Favreau’s theme of going back to basics, forgoing the mainstream and popular for the heartfelt and personal, is a nice metaphor for his film career. This is the man who got his start writing the low-budget Gen-X bible Swingers before directing big-screen schlock such as Iron Man 2 and Cowboys & Aliens.
Chef is a warm and funny return to form, and the nicest surprise of the year so far.
(Note: Happy birthday to my sister, Amy, who wholeheartedly recommended this film. I’m happy this post coincidentally landed today.)
Yeah baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
I got soul, I got soul
I like it like that
Por ti me quiero
I like it like that
Oh oh baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
Si aqui me quiero mi amour
I like it like that
I got soul, I got soul
I like it like that
Yeah baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
Si aqui me quiero
I like it like that
I want you like that
I like it like that
I got soul, I got soul
Stomp your feet if you like my beat
Clap your hands if you want some more
Stomp your feet if you like my beat
Clap your hands if you want some more
Stomp your feet if you like my beat
I like I like it, I like it like that
I like I like it, I like it like that
I got soul
I like it, I like it
I like it, I like it
Yeah Baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
Yeah baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
Si aqui me quiero
I like it like that
Si aqui me quiero mi amour
I like it like that
Yeah baby
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
I got soul, I got soul
I like it like that
I got soul, I got soul
I like it like that
Yeah
I like it like that
I like it like that
I like it like that
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m not sure I would call Iron Man 2 “schlock.” That’s rather harsh. Otherwise, I totally agree with your review. I loved this film and the soundtrack is great.
And, coincidentally, I’m getting Amy a grilled cheese sandwich for her birthday dinner.:)
Thank you for the birthday wish and thank the coincidence fairy for landing Chef on today’s post. ;). I agree with Dana that Iron Man is not schlock! But otherwise wholeheartedly agree with you!
When’s the last time you guys watched Iron Man 2??
Ha! 🙂
I didn’t see Iron Man 2 so I won’t comment; however I loved this film and it was my number one until last week! Everything about it was perfectly wonderful, esp. the grilled cheese sandwich scene 🙂 Happy Birthday Amy, I plan to have a bite of that sandwich later