TheReviewMonk
Chef backdrop
20 June 2014English114 min

Chef

6.411 reviews
CriticsMixed

Bayesian avg · 11 critic reviews

7.5+ Exceptional · 6.5 Recommended · 5.0 Mixed

6.310 ratings
UsersMixed

User Score · avg of 10 ratings

8.0+ Exceptional · 7.0 Recommended · 5.5 Mixed

Jon Favreau DirectorJon Favreau WriterKramer Morgenthau Cinematography

Chef is a 2014 American comedy film about a chef who loses his restaurant job and starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Chef is moderately positive, with most reviewers finding it an enjoyable, warmhearted film that prioritizes simplicity over ambition. Critics frequently praised Favreau's direction and the film's blend of humour, sentiment, and food-centric storytelling, with several noting it as a welcome return to his independent filmmaking roots. The most consistent criticism across reviews is the formulaic, predictable narrative, with some also noting that supporting cast members like Scarlett Johansson are underutilized and that the ending feels like a cop-out.

11 reviews · 10 positive

Praised: warm blend of humour and sentimentCriticised: predictable formulaic storyline

AI-generated summary of 11 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

Critic Reviews (11)

Rajeev MasandTop Critic· IBNLive
6.0
"It's simple, but like good cooking, there's love gone into it."
Read full review ↗
Sachin Chatte· The Navhind Times
8.0
"The films story could well be Favreau's in one way, he directed couple of independent films made some main stream pictures and now is back to making simple yet heartwarming films. Chef will leave you satisfied like you had the most sumptuous meal in a while."
Read full review ↗
Christina Izzo· TimeOut
8.0
"Chef marks a return to Jon Favreau's home-cooked roots, albeit with the perks of his big-budget finesse."
Read full review ↗
Anup Pandey· The W14
7.0
"Whilst the social-media and online bloggers these days just add to the noise and cynicism around, Jon Favreau as the director, finds them, from a distance, hopeful to tell a believable and an inspiring story. Casper's food tastes good, we are simply told. Only if along with sight and sound, third sense of smell or taste could be added to the movies. Sigh."
Read full review ↗
Deccan Chronicle Team· Deccan Chronicle
7.0
"From the mouth-watering carne asada to the molten chocolate cake, Jon Favreau's 'Chef' is a delectable take on an out-of-work cook who experiences career rejuvenation when traveling cross-country serving Cuban entrees on a food truck."
Read full review ↗
Reagan Gavin Rasquinha· Times Of India
7.0
"Pleasing yet somewhat predictable, this film marks a sharp departure from Favreau's various blockbuster (*Iron Man*) films into something far simpler. Johansson, however, is somewhat under-used but on the whole, the story is paced nicely. With food remaining the biggest star of this show, the side dishes also include some family-bonding as well. And the result is a serving of something refreshingly original."
Read full review ↗
7.0
"Chef is palatable feel-good fare whose recipe has smatterings of moving performances and dashes of rib-tickling humour."
Read full review ↗
Rashid Irani· Hindustan Times
7.0
"Despite the burp-so-familiar storyline, Favreau manages to serve up a delicious blend of humour, sentiment and drama. In small but significant supporting roles, Scarlett Johansson is delectable as the restaurant hostess and Dustin Hoffman pops up as her unadventurous boss. Regrettably, the upbeat wrap-up is a coput."
Read full review ↗
Zee News· Zee News
6.0
"Overall, `Chef` is a well made film that is thoroughly enjoyable yet cloyingly formulaic in its presentation."
Read full review ↗
Troy Ribeiro· NowRunning
6.0
"Overall, 'Chef' is a well made film that is thoroughly enjoyable yet cloyingly formulaic in its presentation."
Read full review ↗
"Chef isn't a memorable film, but there's really nothing wrong with it. It's feelgood, like comfort food."
Read full review ↗

Cast & Crew

Details

Release Date
20 June 2014
Runtime
114 min
Language
English
Genre
Comedy

User Ratings & Reviews

Users6.310 ratings

10 ratings from the community

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.