The Hundred-Foot Journey

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: August 8, 2014

7.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 109 Ratings

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TVJerryAug 11, 2014

After a disaster at home an Indian family moves to a small French village, where they decide to open a restaurant. Across the street is a one-star establishment run by a stuffy widow (Helen Mirren). The predictable culture conflicts ensueAfter a disaster at home an Indian family moves to a small French village, where they decide to open a restaurant. Across the street is a one-star establishment run by a stuffy widow (Helen Mirren). The predictable culture conflicts ensue before the plot takes an extended turn around the son's culinary gifts. This is an entertaining but unoriginal movie (it is a Disney production, after all). The performances are all winning (patriarch Om Puri provides the laffs), Lasse Hallstrom's assured direction is solid and the cinematography of the countryside is lovely. It's also too long and lacking in any heft. While some may delight in its trite charms, it doesn't provide a fully-satisfying entrée.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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GreatMartinAug 8, 2014

Like a French bouillabaisse or an Indian Keralite both are dishes that take time and they can be 5 star or comfort food. “The Hundred Foot Journey” is more of the latter than the former with a cast that would earn the Michelin top 3 starsLike a French bouillabaisse or an Indian Keralite both are dishes that take time and they can be 5 star or comfort food. “The Hundred Foot Journey” is more of the latter than the former with a cast that would earn the Michelin top 3 stars while the story line by Steven Knight, based on a novel by Richard C. Morais, would probably not earn any.

Helen Mirren, as Madame Mallory, a widow, owns a top old school French restaurant, and is always a joy to watch whether being haughty, fighting dirty or breaking into a beautiful smile. Om Puri, as Papa, and the father of 5 children, who leaves India after the death of his wife in a fire and, because of circumstances, opens an Indian restaurant 100 feet across from the French restaurant. They declare war on each other and, with that, if you don’t know where their relationship is heading you are new to movies. Though Puri is more or less scowling at Mirren during the first half of the movie, and is sometimes hard to understand, when he smiles, whether it be at his children or, eventually at Madame Mallory, he holds his own in every scene with Mirren.

Madame Mallory’s sous chef, Marguerite, played by Charlotte Le Bon, starts a flirtation with Papa’s son Hasson Kadam, played by Manish Dayal, a yet to be discovered top chef, at one point is in competition with Marguerite and, once again, if you don’t know where this is leading it can only be because you haven’t been to too many movies. Le Bon is pretty with doe eyes and Dayal is handsome and they have just enough chemistry to make it believable that they could be a couple. The rest of the cast consisting mainly of Papa’s four other children, Madame Mallory’s kitchen staff, the mayor and his wife, fill their roles with only a couple adding ‘spice’ in scenes.

Talking about two restaurants, chefs and spice there is no way you can discuss “The Hundred Foot Journey” without discussing the dishes and, how they are made, concentrating from beginning to end on just a few. If all the scenes on/of food looked like the omelet Hasson makes, with help from Madame Mallory due to circumstances, you might have left the theatre hungry but not many are that good. By the way the Madame does something with pan and omelet that I had never seen before. Oh yes, you may want to try a sea urchin--see the movie!

Director Lasse Hallstrom, and the director of photography Linus Sandgren, show off the French village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val in all its lush greenery.

Due to the fact that it takes too long--they could have cut the Paris segment--and that no way would the portions satisfy Americans as in France, and better restaurants, it is the presentation of the food and not the quantity, “The Hundred Foot Journey” is more comfort food than fine dining.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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PsychefanAug 10, 2014

The Hundred Foot Journey is a nice story that could have been much better told. The acting and cinematography are good but the pacing is slow. There are opportunities to delve into the characters' emotions but the script keeps thingsThe Hundred Foot Journey is a nice story that could have been much better told. The acting and cinematography are good but the pacing is slow. There are opportunities to delve into the characters' emotions but the script keeps things largely superficial. There are two relationships in the movie. The older generation trying to keep the past alive, yet also move forward. Neither party dramatically expresses this conflict. The younger generation is trying to find their way. However, we see little emotional depth in their struggles. I would expect that the book devotes more time to the characters' emotions and motivations. Unfortunately, the scriptwriter chose to sweep over these issues. Choosing at least one of these conflicts to examine would have made the movie much more dramatic rather than a tour bus level journey.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SpangleAug 31, 2014

The Hundred-Foot Journey is honestly not a very good film. However, the acting is fine and it does provide some laughs and a general good feeling, which is its major success. The production design is also very nice and the setting is gorgeousThe Hundred-Foot Journey is honestly not a very good film. However, the acting is fine and it does provide some laughs and a general good feeling, which is its major success. The production design is also very nice and the setting is gorgeous and the cinematographer, at times, manages to capture some of that beauty. However, the direction is spotty and it feels more like a movie you would see on TV than one you would see on the big screen. It is generally a movie that feels like I have seen it many a time before and really followed the beaten path to a T. It can also be a tad bit cheesy, which is a turn off for me. The food is also not that interesting to me, since I am not into Indian food. However, the film is mildly enjoyable and the solid production elements are at least worth seeing, as is the feel good story, even if entirely familiar. However, I would not really spend money to see it in theaters.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Brent_MarchantSep 5, 2014

A lusciously filmed, capably acted offering that mildly entertains, despite its need for some judicious editing and its tendencies toward schmaltzy predictability. These shortcomings are somewhat compensated for by Helen Mirren's deliciouslyA lusciously filmed, capably acted offering that mildly entertains, despite its need for some judicious editing and its tendencies toward schmaltzy predictability. These shortcomings are somewhat compensated for by Helen Mirren's deliciously wicked performance and the film's many exquisite culinary and landscape shots. Go in not expecting a lot, and you won't be disappointed.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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LynJan 3, 2015

I was surprised when Lasse Hallstrom's name came up in the closing credits. I think of his films as not only having a luscious look (which this does) but also offering characters and conflicts that make one laugh and cry. This one falls shortI was surprised when Lasse Hallstrom's name came up in the closing credits. I think of his films as not only having a luscious look (which this does) but also offering characters and conflicts that make one laugh and cry. This one falls short in the latter category, despite the appealing actors. A horrible death, in an early scene, seemingly leaves little impact or trauma. On we go to the predictable culture clashes as the Indian family settles in France. Have to admit that the "journey" of the film's plot was not what I expected, but it leads to the same cliched conclusion.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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beingryanjudeNov 16, 2014

Yes, the premise is worth getting excited for. Unfortunately, the movie is quite the opposite. Other than Mirren's obviously perfect French accent, there is little reason to feel inspired.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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jheppMar 14, 2015

An animated rat did it better. Felt like I was watching Ratatouille with much blander spices. I expected more. Ultimately just a light dish that left me hungry.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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