Read Positive User Reviews for The Hundred-Foot Journey

7

LamontRaymondAug 22, 2014

It's a really sweet and funny film, which is MUCH better than I thought it would be given the trailer. The only weakness is the penultimate sequence in Paris which really lacked the tone of the rest of the film. I particularly like theIt's a really sweet and funny film, which is MUCH better than I thought it would be given the trailer. The only weakness is the penultimate sequence in Paris which really lacked the tone of the rest of the film. I particularly like the father, who is great, and doesn't quite stray into caricature.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

amboyAug 25, 2014

A war between a Michelin starred French restaurant and a new Indian one across the road ends in peace, love, and fusion cuisine. This is a feel good movie from Lasse Halstrom who knows how to make such a movie. I loved it, and to those whoA war between a Michelin starred French restaurant and a new Indian one across the road ends in peace, love, and fusion cuisine. This is a feel good movie from Lasse Halstrom who knows how to make such a movie. I loved it, and to those who find its optimism "cheesy" I can only say the cheese here is Brillat Savarin, Chevres, St. Hubert--prime quality. The actors are all wonderful (is Helen Mirren ever anything else?), and the two young lovers are delightful--glowingly good looking and good actors to boot. Sede it in the late afternoon and treat yourself to a great dinner.… Expand

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10

danachitAug 23, 2014

Did I hesitate giving this film a 10? Not one bit. It's been a very long time since I fully expected the theater audience to burst into applause. The last time that happened was at King's Speech and honestly, the audience was having a similarDid I hesitate giving this film a 10? Not one bit. It's been a very long time since I fully expected the theater audience to burst into applause. The last time that happened was at King's Speech and honestly, the audience was having a similar reaction to this film They laughed, gasped, and fully engaged with the characters. This, reader of my review, was a Story (!) There was a Plot (!) And it utterly and 100% carried the film all the way to the end. Not once did I want to leave my seat and even if I did have that app called 'Go Pee' I doubt I would have wanted to miss even one moment of the story.

Helen Mirren does a fully convincing job as snooty French restaurant owner and while I suspected the outcome of the script, I enjoyed every spoken sentence, every scene of food preparation, and every visual stimulation that can only come from a France film location.

This type of movie is why we spend $12 per movie ticket to still go to the theaters. I walked out, smiling, enjoying the memory and anxious to share the news with friends. And I also could not wait to see the film again. That in itself is a great indication of an effective theatrical effort. Bravo to everyone involved in this film And thank you (picture all caps since the site won't allow all caps). What a refreshing and novel film! I can't wait to go again and share this story with friends. And I would actually purchase it on a DVD. Again, thank you and if you are reading this review, go see this movie. If you appreciate a solid, entertaining story with good acting and a heart warming plot, then your money and time will be well spent.… Expand

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10

QadoshSep 2, 2014

This is one of the best films I have seen this year, it was outstanding! The acting was excellent and the story fun and engaging. I think the only "problem" the critics must have had with this film is that it is clean; no drugs, language, orThis is one of the best films I have seen this year, it was outstanding! The acting was excellent and the story fun and engaging. I think the only "problem" the critics must have had with this film is that it is clean; no drugs, language, or nudity! I highly recommend this movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

HinxyAug 15, 2014

Years from now.......you'll be likely to watch this more often than most of this years films given higher ratings. Yes, feel-good............What's wrong with that? And, one day I may watch this with no sound just to fully experience theYears from now.......you'll be likely to watch this more often than most of this years films given higher ratings. Yes, feel-good............What's wrong with that? And, one day I may watch this with no sound just to fully experience the cinematic beauty.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

sammurphy66Aug 16, 2014

Incredibly heartwarming and irresistibly likeable, The Hundred Foot Journey makes the most of its talented cast on healthy premise and engaging story.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

BHBarryAug 10, 2014

The One Hundred-Foot Journey" stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Manish Dayal. Written by Steven Knight, based on the novel by Richard C. Marais and directed by Lasse Hallstrom ("Chocolat", "The Cider House Rules") this is a charming andThe One Hundred-Foot Journey" stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri and Manish Dayal. Written by Steven Knight, based on the novel by Richard C. Marais and directed by Lasse Hallstrom ("Chocolat", "The Cider House Rules") this is a charming and beautifully told story of ostensibly two cultures in rivalry through their respective restaurants and cuisine and yet it is much much more. The elegant and talented Ms. Mirren dominates the film as do the two Indian born actors who join her in this "feel good" film that is neither trite nor annoyingly predictable although no one is disappointed by its conclusion. Beautifully photographed in a French provincial town, the viewer is immediately engrossed in the plot and intricacies that befall the characters. This film will cater to those who hunger for a really enjoyable film and whose appetite demands a tale of competition, respect and mutual understanding. Good taste demands that this film receive a 9.0 rating with the old adage "See it, you’ll like it".… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

AJ21Aug 8, 2014

A precious moving beautiful story! From the opening scenic shots of the market place in India to the gorgeous French mountain valley village where the story takes place it's a joyous poignant ride. Acting was superb especially the superA precious moving beautiful story! From the opening scenic shots of the market place in India to the gorgeous French mountain valley village where the story takes place it's a joyous poignant ride. Acting was superb especially the super talented Helen Mirren. I was totally engrossed in the story from start to finish! Many critics as usual are off base.… Expand

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7

BikerjamesSep 2, 2014

While watching The Hundred-Foot Journey you will get feelings of predictability, especially if you've seen as many films as I have. Hollywood has been making films about clashes of cultures for a long time. At least the clash between theWhile watching The Hundred-Foot Journey you will get feelings of predictability, especially if you've seen as many films as I have. Hollywood has been making films about clashes of cultures for a long time. At least the clash between the two restaurant families resolves itself a little over the halfway mark. The rest of the film is the journey of the gifted Indian Chef. I enjoyed the film overall, especially Helen Mirren, but there isn't enough here to warrant repeated viewings.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

ArclightviewAug 10, 2014

A feel good story with a great cast. A little predictable but the two hours of good entertainment is worth seeing and I would recommend it to a family member or friend.

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8

ClariseSamuelsMar 29, 2015

On the surface, this is a lovely, and perhaps, somewhat facile foodie movie, but it has to be seen as much more than that. This film is actually a foodie fairy tale. Like a typical fairy tale, it has a prince, a princess, a king and a queen.On the surface, this is a lovely, and perhaps, somewhat facile foodie movie, but it has to be seen as much more than that. This film is actually a foodie fairy tale. Like a typical fairy tale, it has a prince, a princess, a king and a queen. (The queen is evil at first but then she turns good.) There is also a palace and a lush fairy-tale landscape in the countryside of France. The plot starts with a warlike battle where there is a senseless death of a loving mother, leaving an indelible mark of grief on a family headed up by a wise king. The tragedy sends the royal family wandering into the wilderness, seeking a Promised Land, which they eventually find in a small French village. And then the royal family finally gets their happy ending after they can settle in and resume the family business, which of course, is an Indian restaurant.

That last part might not sound like your typical fairy tale, but then foodie fairy tales are a genre unto themselves. And like a good fairy tale, underneath the saccharine plot devices there are profound universal truths to be mined and extracted. The Journey of the title is only a hundred feet because the wise, widowed, and elderly king (Om Puri) sets up his Indian eatery directly opposite a house of haute cuisine (one hundred feet away) that specializes in the most exquisite French fare and has earned a royal mark of distinction—a Michelin star. Of course, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), as the ambitious queen/restaurant owner, is not satisfied and covets the acquisition of her second Michelin star. Every star is a Holy Grail, and three stars would mean that the food served at such a place is nothing less than a menu for the gods. In the beginning, Madame Mallory regards the new Indian restaurant as a competitor to be roundly defeated and shut down.

But beyond the 100 feet, there is a greater Journey described in this film, as the Indian family leaves their home turf and migrates into uncharted territory, where there are dragons and sea monsters, as well as those uncouth pirates who would wish them harm. The family’s presence in a strange land acts as a catalyst and an irritant, teaching a small town tolerance and acceptance, and introducing a foreign cuisine that eventually becomes a fusion of French and Indian fare. At first the wise king/Indian restaurant owner will not let the prince (Manish Dayal), his adult son and a brilliant chef, work for Madame across the road. The protective father tells the elegant Madame Mallory unequivocally, “French food is French food, and Indian food is Indian food.” And referring to the racist graffiti that she washed off the wall with her own hands, she replies, “Monsieur, I think I just spent the whole morning washing those words off your wall.”

Appearing a little more subtly than the other plot devices is a Rousseauian back-to-nature philosophy, with a call to eat more carefully and to respect the produce of your local region. In this film, olives are picked from nearby groves, mushrooms are found in the woods, and the milk for the cheese comes from the cows in neighboring fields. After seeing this film, you will shop more selectively for your food, and you will vow to be more creative when you cook dinner the next evening.

As for the saccharine happy ending, such is the stuff of fairy tales.… Expand