I had never heard of this movie before last week. I was just browsing the foreign language section of my local public library when I came across it. I liked the cover. I liked that it was about food. I liked that it was in a foreign language. And I liked that there was a cute little girl on the back cover. That was all that went into my decision to borrow this DVD. Never call me a film snob.
Anyway, I watched it this evening and thoroughly enjoyed it! Maybe because I had no expectations going into it. Maybe because I was hungry when I watched it so all of the food shots looked extra delicious. Maybe because I had a good day so I was feeling more generous in my criticism than usual. But I think it was more than that. This film delightfully portrays the simple beauty that can only be enjoyed in quiet moments. The smell of rosemary before it is added to potatoes. The color of rasberry sauce next to a chocolate mousse. The feeling of a quick stolen moment of cool air in an otherwise hot stuffy room. The glance of a stolen smile across a crowded kitchen. All of these very small moments of beauty were highlighted and savored in this film.
The human interactions were all also about the quiet, simple moments of life that can be so quickly overlooked by the callous. The developing relationship between the aunt and her niece was portrayed with true depth of emotion by the actors. The developing romance between two chefs stuck in the same kitchen was full of humor and unexpected tenderness. Though the film only runs 100 minutes, I felt that I was given time to just sit and observe. Just like the preparation of a fine dinner, nothing was rushed.
It is a simple reminder to all of the Marthas of the world to slow down a little and look for glimpses of the beauty that surrounds. It’s winking at you from the steel pots and peeking at you through the garlic cloves. It’s waiting quietly on the counter for you to finish feverishly chopping and notice. And more than notice, to enjoy.
All that to say, I felt like I was enjoying a thoughtfully prepared meal full of the only the best ingredients. I highly recommend it. Bon Appetit!
hahaha. I like you, Bethany.
This must be the film No Reservations was a remake of, huh? I wasn’t really interested in seeing that before but now I want to see both. First one first, though. Where’d you find it?
Yes, it must be. I’ve never seen No Reservations either so I’m not sure how faithful of an adaptation it is. And why does it need an adaptation? I found it at the Burbank public library.
film snob
Hahaha. I agree, why does it?
But then again, I still haven’t seen Life is Beautiful because it came out when I was too young to be able to read subtitles that fast. So I understand the draw in remaking a family film in English. I don’t know about the Let the Right One In / The Invisible pseudo-horror-emo-flick phenomena.
Tonight I’m going to see the Japanese remake of Shall We Dance, based on the English original–not the English remake of the English original.