Chef (2014)

The food truck in Chef never has a slow day. No rainstorm, no broken fryer, no empty parking lot. Once Carl Casper hits the road, the conflict leaves the building, and the back half becomes a warm, very long ad for Cuban sandwiches. That’s the knock. The first half is sharp. Jon Favreau plays Carl as a gifted cook with no filter, and his public meltdown at a critic played by Oliver Platt is painfully funny because it feels like something you’ve watched happen online. The cooking scenes are shot close and with love: butter, grilled bread, knife work. John Leguizamo is pure joy as Martin, his old line cook, who turns down a promotion to tag along. The real story is Carl and his son Percy, and Emjay Anthony makes their road trip sweet without going sappy. It made $49.8 million worldwide on a reported $11M. A 7.2 because it’s comfort food that knows exactly what it is. $92.07 says you make a grilled cheese tonight, plate it like a pro and post a photo nobody asked for.

What works: The cooking scenes are gorgeous, and the father and son road trip gives the movie a real, gentle heart.

What doesn’t: Once the food truck rolls, every problem solves itself, and the second half has almost no tension at all.

Who it’s for: Anyone who watches cooking shows for fun and wants a feel-good road trip with a great soundtrack.