Dir: Lasse Hallström
2014
***
I don't find Lasse Hallström's English language mainstream film half as interesting as his Swedish films. My Life as a Dog is one of the sweetest films ever made, What's eating Gilbert Grape was an obvious and strong evolution into mainstream but everything since has been a bit safe and a bit twee. However, I think that The Hundred-Foot Journey, as twee as it is, is one of his stronger films made in the last few years. It is a story of a travelling family, forced out of India and looking for a new home, who find the perfect spot in southern France and decide to open up a restaurant, directly opposite a Michelin star eatery. It doesn't really work as a culture analysis piece and that is probably for the best, it sticks with food as it should. Apart from the beautiful food though, there isn't much else. I enjoyed it for the lovely performances from Om Puri (who is always good) and Helen Mirren and for the exquisite direction. It is a visually stunning film that will often fool you into thinking there is more depth to the story but when something looks this good, it sometimes doesn't matter so much.
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