Food for the Soul – The Hundred Foot Journey Film Review

Few new fiction books make it to my all-time classics favorites list, but “The Hundred Foot Journey” novel certainly jumped up there quickly.  This endearing story about a young Indian man, Hassan Kadam who is a natural culinary genius.  Through his eyes, a vibrant world of culinary intrigue and cultural divides, entice and draw the reader into following his amazing journey.

The movie slightly differs from the book, but in plot only, not characterization or the heart and soul of the narrative.  This is one of the few times that a movie created from a book has made it to one of my top favorites, too!  With brilliant acting, incredible scenery, delectable dishes and a heart-warming story-line, THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY carried me away on a fabulous film adventure, but ultimately, delivered me home.

Movie Synopsis: 

Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal) is a culinary ingénue with the gastronomic equivalent of perfect pitch. Displaced from their native India, the Kadam family, led by Papa (Om Puri), settles in the quaint village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in the south of France. Filled with charm, it is both picturesque and elegant – the ideal place to settle down and open an Indian restaurant, Maison Mumbai. That is, until the chilly chef proprietress of Le Saule Pleureur, a Michelin-starred, classical French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren) gets wind of it. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate into a heated battle between the two establishments until Hassan’s passion for French haute cuisine — and for Madame Mallory’s enchanting sous chef, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) — combine with his mysteriously-delicious talent to weave magic between their two cultures and imbue Saint-Antonin with the flavors of life that even Madame Mallory cannot ignore. At first Madame Mallory’s culinary rival, she eventually recognizes Hassan’s gift as a chef and takes him under her wing.

I don’t like to give away spoilers, so I can’t share with you my favorite scenes (though it would be hard to choose them as the entire movie is spectacular!) but I will share that every second of this film had my well-deserved attention.  THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY is a movie that resonated a chord within.  It’s the type of enjoyable, yet thought-provoking film that you find yourself analyzing and appreciating long after you’ve left your seat in the theater.  

Despite having read the book, I found myself on an unexpected adventure, connecting in a deeper manner with the characters I’d already come to love an appreciate.

Helen Mirren is beyond perfect for the role of Madame Mallory and Manish Dayal as Hassan Kadam simply steals the show with his soulful brown eyes and incredible onscreen talents.  Everyone in the film is exceptionally cast.  Placed together with an exceptional story and breath-taking backdrops, you’ll leave the cinema longing for more… and for perhaps a gourmet meal! 

This film is about food.  This film is about family.  This film is about love. 

And this film is about discovering what really matters and being brave enough to walk the steps to find it.  

Place THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY top on your list of must-see movies!

I had a crazy-cool experience cooking recipes inspired by THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY at Le Cordon Bleu Los Angeles, if you’re curious about that experience, you can find the details here: https://ruralmom.com/2014/07/cooking-at-le-cordon-bleu-every-bite.html

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