Open Road Films | Release Date: May 9, 2014
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 341 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
273
Mixed:
51
Negative:
17
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4
hdbflySep 3, 2014
This was a movie that desperately needed edited down. Scenes and sequences that were way too long. Repetition and indulgence. It takes forever for the film to get going and then when it does, it's so flabby, it's boring. Inexplicably, heThis was a movie that desperately needed edited down. Scenes and sequences that were way too long. Repetition and indulgence. It takes forever for the film to get going and then when it does, it's so flabby, it's boring. Inexplicably, he yells at son. Inexpiicably, his ex-wife remarries him (what does she do, exactly, to live that lifestyle and wear those dresses constantly?) After being fired, he inexplicably goes home and cooks enough food for a banquet . . . that he eats? that goes to waste? Why didn't he call the critic to his house and have him enjoy what looked like an amazing meal? Oh, because he inexplicably knows nothing about social media even though he's one of the hippest chefs in LA. In LA! How do you not know about social media in LA? Inexplicable . . . I wanted to give this film to one of my classes and have them edit it down to less than 90 minutes. It could be easily done, and it would be a better movie. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
pthilAug 26, 2014
Don't expect great cinema here. Lame, cheesy, boring at times. A movie about Twitter, etc, first of all. And about someone rising from defeat and failure to do what he Really Loves to do, and connects with his son, and, oh yeah, a road tripDon't expect great cinema here. Lame, cheesy, boring at times. A movie about Twitter, etc, first of all. And about someone rising from defeat and failure to do what he Really Loves to do, and connects with his son, and, oh yeah, a road trip movie. Feel-good?, yes, but again, done in such a poor manner. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
DemeterAug 11, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie requires 2 major leaps of faith.
First, that a chef who wanted to be creative and design a variety of new dishes devotes his venture to creating one dish over and over again.
Second, that there would be someone who just happens to have a food truck sitting around and is willing to give it away.
The other problem for me was the way he told his son he could never help him on the truck in the future. Why not ?
Also, the abrupt ending was lame.
This movie only shows me that someone has great connections in Hollywood.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Brent_MarchantMay 17, 2014
An occasionally amusing though often-episodic offering that can never quite make up its mind what kind of film it wants to be -- a feel good flick, a road trip story, an edgy comedy -- thanks to its loosely strung-together collection of bitsAn occasionally amusing though often-episodic offering that can never quite make up its mind what kind of film it wants to be -- a feel good flick, a road trip story, an edgy comedy -- thanks to its loosely strung-together collection of bits that are sometimes funny in themselves but lack a general overall cohesiveness. Its endless references to various social media sites gets tedious after a while, too, looking more like a Twitter commercial than a motion picture. Wait for this one to come to DVD. Expand
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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4
LynNov 3, 2014
A fluffy fairy tale of a movie that benefits from having a slew of competent, likable actors and a fun soundtrack. The rotund chef somehow has a lot of capital with which to rebuild his career, a loyal friend who'll work for nothing, a loyal,A fluffy fairy tale of a movie that benefits from having a slew of competent, likable actors and a fun soundtrack. The rotund chef somehow has a lot of capital with which to rebuild his career, a loyal friend who'll work for nothing, a loyal, adorable son who's a social media genius, and a gorgeous ex-wife who still loves him. It's impossible to hate, but feels like a Lifetime movie with an A-list cast. The food looks delicious, though! Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
lancekozOct 2, 2014
Gee, I have to weigh in here, since I think that the viewer's rating is skewed by real Favreau fans. Although there are a bunch of good ingredients here... they never produce a tasty dish. There are long, cranky, un-funny dialogs, rattledGee, I have to weigh in here, since I think that the viewer's rating is skewed by real Favreau fans. Although there are a bunch of good ingredients here... they never produce a tasty dish. There are long, cranky, un-funny dialogs, rattled off at high speed with little credible passion. It takes a long time before the story leaves the character's collapse and starts to progress to a resolution. The idea of a high cuisine chef going into street food has possibilities either comic or as a serious story, but this weak, improvised-seeming fare ries to walk somewhere in-between and largely bored me. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Trev29Nov 15, 2014
It was one cliché after another. The movie was not that irritating, but there was just nothing that surprised or interested me. Not sure how a movie like this attracted a big named cast.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
nicholasbertSep 6, 2014
I was positevely impressed by Chef: I originally thought it was going to be worthless, by looking at the trailer - that same trailer that lets you think Scarlett Johansson and Downey Jr. are actually acting in this movie. Rather, andI was positevely impressed by Chef: I originally thought it was going to be worthless, by looking at the trailer - that same trailer that lets you think Scarlett Johansson and Downey Jr. are actually acting in this movie. Rather, and especially for the latter, I think their appearance should be counted as just a cameo.

Chef, helped by Latin music and food imagery, is a handsome comedy without too many pretences and one good script - not good because it's epic or intelligent, good because the dialogues sound natural, for once. Good performances by the supporting cast, in my opinion, but I'm not too fond of the kid and the model.

Good fun watch. Nothing to wrap your brain around, but still.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
alwayswatchingDec 6, 2015
It was fun to watch but I had two problems with it. It very obviously tricks the viewers into resenting the restaurant owner and it is the same old cliche story that we have seen over and over: "follow your dreams and they will come true"
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ydnar4Nov 28, 2014
Jon Favreau is a person that is relatively unknown in film, despite directing Iron Man 1 and 2 and Elf. Chef was a movie that took a while for me to warm up to. I wasn't really interested in the first part of the movie, it seemed likeJon Favreau is a person that is relatively unknown in film, despite directing Iron Man 1 and 2 and Elf. Chef was a movie that took a while for me to warm up to. I wasn't really interested in the first part of the movie, it seemed like something I had seen so many times before. However I really began to enjoy it after about an hour or so. Facvreau has obviously made an incredible amount of connection while in Hollywood. There are lots of stars scattered through this movie. Chef could have been better but I applaud the effort and hope to see more from Favreau Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
pesho_oneNov 19, 2014
Very well made movie. It hooks you right in the beginning and the plot starts to develop in a nice pace. It also does some good turns. The problem for me - it tries too hard and fails to be fun.
Interesting, maybe, but fun - no. And about
Very well made movie. It hooks you right in the beginning and the plot starts to develop in a nice pace. It also does some good turns. The problem for me - it tries too hard and fails to be fun.
Interesting, maybe, but fun - no. And about that "interesting" factor - after the movie reached 50% it started to loose grip. The plot became stale and predictable.
6 out of 10 for high production values, but not actually making me care nor have a good enough time.
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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