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Chef

Chef

2014
Comedy, Drama
1h 54m
A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family. (imdb)
Your probable score
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Chef

2014
Comedy, Drama
1h 54m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 51.47% from 2317 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(2317)
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Rated 16 Dec 2014
63
33rd
A nice movie for grandmas to say 'oh that was nice, hey honey we should go out for dinner' and then immediately forget what they watched.
Rated 31 Jul 2014
85
79th
Fresh, lively and authentic. It's good-natured without being flat, simple without being shallow. Characters and dialog are convincing. The humor is low key but effective. The father and son dynamic comes off genuine, not forced, and succeeds in avoiding over-sentimentality. Favreau and the supporting cast are all wonderful. Oh, and the cooking scenes are a delight. Don't watch this if you're hungry.
Rated 30 Jun 2014
92
86th
Irresistibly fun movie. Simple, low-key, indie sensibilities; it's a straight-ahead story with no bells and whistles, and it's compelling from minute one. Jon Favreau's performance and direction are both spot-on, and he assembles a stellar supporting cast. A plethora of beautiful-looking food, and a surprisingly accurate grasp of technology enhance proceedings. Excellent.
Rated 31 Aug 2014
2
59th
Feels quite rudderless and has no real arc. It just 'goes' and feels more like a stretched short. Not sure about Favreau's acting either... However, the film is enjoyable to watch mainly because of its theme and atmosphere.
Rated 30 Oct 2014
70
46th
It felt like a blind date with Gary Busey. It starts out as planned, but then something odd happens. Nothing else happens during the rest of the date, but because it's Gary Busey you keep expecting something weird. So even though it's a sweet feel good movie, you keep fearing the worst.
Rated 21 Nov 2014
50
27th
It's pure food porn. It has a very easygoing feel that makes it watchable but the rest of the film is just blah.
Rated 04 Jan 2015
85
82nd
While this easily could have been a meaningless feel-good comedy, Favreau surprised. Favreau shines on all fronts here, and his all-star supporting cast, especially Leguizamo, totally rock. With some killer cinematography and a rocking soundtrack, the somewhat cliche script is made entertaining. I was a bit zurprised with this one, and in the good way. Hats off to Favreau for this one.
Rated 26 Apr 2016
64
51st
Chef is primarily about a father-son relationship, professional fulfilment, and even social media, more than it is about food. For me, all this adds up to a film that is a little disappointing. Trying to enjoy it for what it is, is made harder by constant contrived circumstances and lacklustre dialogue. Not to mention bland, mildly annoying characters (and cast), with the sole exception of Leguizamo who seemed to be the only believable person in the entire film.
Rated 04 Jul 2014
65
69th
Chef is an easy-to-digest film, even if it's too long and filled with distracting cameos. It's still funny, it's still sweet, and it feels real. And, if you know about Jon Favreau's career, you might be able to read more into the text than those who do not. Chef is a good film, and if you watch it you will likely walk away from it with a smile -- and a desire to eat something ASAP. Don't watch Chef on an empty stomach.
Rated 13 Jul 2014
70
58th
This is a nice movie that I definitely enjoyed watching it. I think it had too many storylines that weren't fully developped, but the main story was one I could sympathize with, and enjoyed watching unfold. I also got really hungry watching it.
Rated 06 Aug 2014
90
97th
I expected a good movie, but I really didn't expect... this. This movie feels amazing. It's not very dramatic, or hysterically funny for that matter, but it's just so lovely and snug... this movie made me use the word "snug", that's how good it is. I don't often feel good after feelgood movies, but this feelgood movie definitely made me feel good. Also, obligatory remark about eating before seeing this movie.
Rated 16 Aug 2014
60
57th
An excellent feel good comedy. Absolutely no complaints at all. And if you excuse me, I'll go to the kitchen and cook something. I am hungry.
Rated 31 Aug 2014
70
89th
This film inspired me.....to make an awesome grilled cheese sammich! Damn I'm hungry now. Highly enjoyable film filled with great food and music. Makes me want to buy a food truck (or an RV) and hit the road. Also nice to see a movie use actual social media that's true to real life, like Vine and Twitter. A lesser film would of had them using Snake Rope and Bird Chat!
Rated 17 Feb 2015
69
37th
pretty...nice food, nice father son relationship... no real plot, no real dramatic structure, it almost feels like a home video
Rated 03 Mar 2015
55
50th
Charming little film that doesn't require full attention, but there is no drama and everything feels kind of flat.
Rated 23 Jan 2020
7
57th
This was fun and lighthearted. If you're a food porn enthusiast, you'll eat this shit up. A handful of awkward scenes should've been left on the cutting room floor and it tapped into the social media zeitgeist a bit too much for my liking, but watching those characters pursuing their passion with such gusto made for a fun and easy watch.
Rated 16 Jun 2014
60
22nd
Food looks nice, but too many musical numbers, too much jon favreau eating, too many characters dropped by the third act, and FAR TOO LONG
Rated 17 Jun 2014
78
47th
A renowned chef in a rut (Jon Favreau) quits his job and sets up a food truck with his sous-chef (John Leguizamo) and son (EmJay Anthony), rediscovering his love for good food and his love for his family--especially his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara). Writer-director Favreau does a fine job all around; if it flirts with being an ego trip on his part, he makes sure to show all of his character's dimensions. Sprightly, funny, and uncontrived, a celebration of life, love, and great-looking food.
Rated 02 Jul 2014
66
73rd
What a lot of fun this film is. The father and son relationship arc is a solid foundation for the story which takes you on ride of emotion. The film is rough around the edges but its overshadowed by fun interactions, clever dialogue and a captivating script. Alot of reviews have mentioned the food scenes are like watching 'food porn'! I 100% agree, those scenes are really effective and will have you running to the nearest restaurant as soon as the film credits role!
Rated 23 Jul 2014
81
68th
Aaah, that Favreau, he got me on this one. Went in expecting to be bored or annoyed by what looked to be the classic "feel good story". And sure, you could easily see the character arcs being set up and knocked down with the precision that I normally can't stand in these types of movies. And yeah, that is one unrealistically talented kid. And yeah, Favreau and Vergara?! Jeez Jon, shoot the moon, I guess. But there was a real great energy and spirit to this one that really worked for me.
Rated 27 Aug 2014
70
41st
I enjoyed it but wasn't madly in love with it or anything. The chemistry between father and son was there, and even though it really didn't do anything new with the genre (the indie dramedy/feel good story), it did it well. I didn't really find it that funny, but it was interesting and what little drama there was worked for me. The part with the 1 second videos edited together was genuinely touching. Also has a great soundtrack with reworkings of some classic songs.
Rated 30 Aug 2014
65
61st
Such a heart-warmer, and not just because of its confident plot -- chef wants to do his menu, follows his boss and is attacked by an angry critic, becomes an internet meme, gets an RV from his wife's former husband (Downey Jr., great), takes the road with one of his assistants and his son, receives an offer by the critic to run his own place, gets his wife back. Too tidy up, but it's amazing how Favreau adds social media (Twitter, Vine) to this frantic part food film, part father-and-son drama.
Rated 09 Sep 2014
71
42nd
A film that has no real low points, but doesn't really have any high points either. It's well made and enjoyable, but also utterly forgettable.
Rated 13 Sep 2014
48
19th
Favreau's extended response to his critics? Oddly enough, his much touted return to small film making is completely conventional and only 'risky' in a personal financial sense(re: he was going to make less money). Kudos to him for being less greedy than other Hollywood directors, but exercising a level of self restraint is not impressive in and of itself. The film is perfectly watchable, and the cast are enjoying themselves, but it's also unambitious and totally forgettable.
Rated 24 Sep 2014
65
56th
An enjoyable ride, full of charm, warm humor and feelgood. The music accompanies the movie well and the cast is delightful. They're probably successful in what they were trying to achieve, without it being anything extraordinary.
Rated 03 Nov 2014
70
67th
light and funny
Rated 04 Jan 2015
10
6th
It's hard for me to enjoy a film that conforms to the most commercial Hollywood feelgood template available. It's even harder when that film is hypocritically promoting the virtues of artistic freedom and individuality over commercial concerns. This is bland, cliche-ridden fluff, with the predictability of a metronome and the usual absurd Hollywood triumph over adversity theme that's so far from the real world the film seems to be convinced it inhabits that I found it hard to make it to the end.
Rated 01 Feb 2015
69
73rd
Starts out very promising but quickly turns to formulaic storytelling. Still the cast is charming and its a good watch overall.
Rated 07 Feb 2015
77
78th
Really loved it. Favreau throws out something personal every decade or so that I find myself responding to pretty profoundly, for whatever reason--I loved SWINGERS, I loved MADE, and now here's this one. Maybe it's just that I identify with Favreau's solo vehicles. This one's about fatherhood, and settling comfortably into middle age, and seeing to it that you're living the dream. Super upbeat and likable and unfailingly pleasant and that's all.
Rated 17 Feb 2015
77
47th
A lot of the movie is drawn out, and it's crowded with scenes that end up just being really long jokes, none of which are particularly funny. For a character study, and a demonstration of how social marketing can make or break a career, it's pretty investing.
Rated 03 Mar 2015
50
29th
The second half of this movie was mysteriously uneventful.
Rated 24 Mar 2015
60
68th
There's nothing surprising about this film - no drama at all. It just delivers a nice atmosphere, delicious shots of culinary treats and a quality cast, and that's just fine. Not all films need to aim to be the next Citizen Kane or the next The Dark Knight. Kudos to Favreau for making this smaller film after a couple of Iron Man films.
Rated 10 Apr 2015
70
56th
Pretty charming look at a passionate chef and foodie culture. There's a surprising ensemble cast and the father/son story works. Leguizamo is thankfully not as annoying as he usually is either. For anyone that appreciate cooking and food porn this is quite nice. It's a fairly light hearted comedy and doesn't go too deep into the cynicism which is a nice change of pace. It's the film equivalent of one of those cuban sandwiches.
Rated 29 Apr 2015
70
75th
A simple feel good movie that starts to drag a bit in the second half and relies on montages, which I hate, in the later parts as well. Not great but will keep you smiling until it's over and then you'll most likely forget about it.
Rated 10 May 2015
55
44th
Has an odd structure, with its long build up to the main events, lack of adversity & then long succession of feel good moments with no juxtaposing lows. We do learn a bit during "Chef" though; that Vergara cannot act, extensive use of social media as a plot device is always shit, & that food should be seasoned from a great height only & then grilled/fried to the satisfaction of Favreau's waistline before consuming. The father/son story is nice, as is "Chef" in general, but it's so forgettable.
Rated 26 Jun 2015
50
47th
Chef seems like half an idea that's been put to film without enough development. For while it's a competent, well-directed effort, the plot is somewhat empty, everything moves along too conveniently and there's very little drama to make you care enough about the characters. It's a pleasant and inoffensive watch on a quiet Sunday night, but ultimately distanced enough from reality to mean you don't get much out of your almost two hours - as swiftly as they pass.
Rated 05 Sep 2015
40
18th
Like a two hour commercial for twitter marketed for the cooking channel, with a washed up Hoffman and Scarlett Johansson's cornhusk voice thrown into the mix for the first half. Fortunately those two don't stick around for the second half. There are some nice bits of the father and son and Cuban jazz, but on the whole it all feels half-baked.
Rated 09 Jan 2016
65
46th
Have you seen Chef?
Rated 02 Jun 2017
85
95th
Gotta love how Jon Favreau cast Sofia Vergara and Scarlett Johansson as his wife and girlfriend. Yeah right.
Rated 22 Mar 2020
73
46th
Does a good job blending chef stuff with drama stuff.
Rated 31 Jan 2022
7
84th
The food critic in the movie weren’t wrong - the stuffy restaurant food in the beginning looks pretty “eh,” the Cuban food truck chow later on looks pretty bomb ass. Movie is quite funny and charming altogether, and refreshingly eschews introducing some late second act misunderstanding or problem, sticking to a chill hangout food porn vibe.
Rated 14 May 2014
70
54th
Starts off pretty good but settles into cliches and sit-com contrivances. But the audience I was with loved it so it'll probably do good at the box. Johansson has a minor part and Downey only a cameo which isn't exactly what the trailer leads us to believe.
Rated 27 May 2014
30
22nd
Writer/director/producer/actor Jon Favreau serves up a labor of love with a tender message about a self-absorbed dad who wakes up to see how great it is to be a father. Admittedly, it takes him a good while. But as Carl mentors his son in the fine art of cooking, and as the boy mentors his dad in the fine art of social media promotion, they forge a connection that they've never enjoyed before. (pluggedin.com)
Rated 19 Jun 2014
66
47th
A fine, if predictable, foodie film with heart.
Rated 21 Jun 2014
50
11th
I'm a foodie-type and I didn't hate this. But there were problems: characters and chemistry between them flat; story seems confused: seems to be about artistic freedom vs. commercial pressures, then forgets about that and focuses on father-son relationship (which, again, was flat for me). In short, the writing could have been a lot better.
Rated 01 Jul 2014
70
30th
Usually I don't give a shit about script-schools, McKee and friends. But this movie really, really, I mean, really needed some sort of drama, some kind of arc of suspense. And it needed more Dustin Hoffman and less weak female characters. God, this noncritical, limitless happyness makes you sick!
Rated 27 Jul 2014
50
20th
Feel-good movie with some beautiful shots and one (!) great dialogue (the one with Robert Downey Jr.). Otherwise quite ordinary.
Rated 05 Aug 2014
2
37th
#SocialNetworks #twitter for dummies.
Rated 08 Aug 2014
80
58th
A sweet and charming little film. At many points I felt it pandered too hard to foodies and food professionals, but I guess that was part of the appeal and marketing. I loved the sequence when the crew were on the road with the son on social media with all the split screens of the various social networking platforms. I also loved the cover of 'Sexual Healing'. Finally, I wish there was more conflict in the second half. I found myself losing interest, despite the fun and easy-going nature.
Rated 09 Aug 2014
75
41st
Made me hungry. Simple and fun.
Rated 09 Aug 2014
70
35th
A lighthearted comedy with a strong cast and great looking food. Not really much else I can say. It is nicely paced and is enjoyable.
Rated 13 Aug 2014
45
40th
At times it's poignant, funny, and wonderful. At others it has Robert Downey, Jr.
Rated 15 Aug 2014
55
31st
"Sideways" for the hashtag age. Except without the thrilling, edge-of-your-seat drama of "Sideways".
Rated 17 Aug 2014
70
40th
Good, but takes no chances whatsoever.
Rated 05 Sep 2014
10
93rd
Joyous!
Rated 05 Sep 2014
83
76th
Chef has no dramatic low points - it doesn't need them. It's almost constantly uplifting. The cinematic equivalent of a great meal you never want to end.
Rated 06 Sep 2014
75
41st
a nice film to watch with your father in summer.
Rated 06 Sep 2014
67
39th
Sade basit bir senaryo güzel bir kadroyla şekillenmiş. Bir velet sırıtıyor aralarında. Sıkmadan izletti.
Rated 08 Sep 2014
55
32nd
that ending really?
Rated 16 Sep 2014
80
84th
I love food! Made me extremely hungry right after dinner
Rated 18 Sep 2014
80
80th
Normally I'd say a movie without low points couldn't really be a good movie, but this is such a movie and it had me smiling the entire. Very enjoyable feel good movie.
Rated 20 Sep 2014
3
65th
Exactly what you would expect. Sweet, funny, heartfelt, a little bit of romance and a happy, however a bit rushed, ending. - Good.
Rated 22 Sep 2014
83
67th
Nice and warm :)
Rated 25 Sep 2014
65
24th
yemek, gurme, sandviç, baba-ogul, yemek arabasi, lüks restaurant, ayrilmis esler, miami, new orleans, twitter (film de fazlaca yer kapliyor), new orleans, sosyal medya, vine
Rated 30 Sep 2014
70
25th
Don't mistake this for some kind of indie triumph; it's essentially a vanity project for the director of two Iron Man films, for christ's sakes, and it's more "feel good" than a thousand Hollywood comedies. But it's a remarkably pleasant way to spend two hours (which is perhaps too long but doesn't really feel like it) which doesn't feel as calculated as it could. And holy shit, does it ever make you feel hungry.
Rated 04 Oct 2014
91
70th
1277: i like it!
Rated 04 Oct 2014
70
55th
5 for the food
Rated 05 Oct 2014
43
34th
(a.k.a. DIRECTOR.)
Rated 20 Oct 2014
71
33rd
Impressive cast that's mostly just there for cameos as the movie focuses on Jon Favreau/Leguizamo and Favreau's kid. A little too feel good but an entertaining movie.
Rated 13 Nov 2014
55
50th
Nice story with some good father-son bonding and wonderful looking food!
Rated 18 Nov 2014
65
46th
Favreau's apology for Iron Man and Iron Man 2, and his promise that Iron Man 4 will be his vision 100% and not the producers'? Hard not to draw that conclusion considering the plot of the first half and the RDJ cameo, but Chef still succeeds at its light-hearted comedy and passion for food. It also shows how fickle success can be in the age of social media.
Rated 23 Nov 2014
68
56th
Very enjoyable movie !
Rated 03 Dec 2014
85
86th
I really enjoyed this movie, it moved along quickly, is less predictable than you'd think but most of all was very funny and felt authentic.
Rated 03 Dec 2014
81
32nd
I didn't really have high expectations for this film - when it was in theatres I had no desire to see it, not because it looked bad, but it just didn't interest me. I am happy to say that I was actually pleasantly surprised by this film. It's funny, it's charming, and god damn does it ever make you hungry! Give this film a watch, it comes recommended...oh and I still think food trucks are for hipsters and dirty hippies.
Rated 10 Dec 2014
50
19th
It was made well and everything, the plot was just completely lacking. Boring.
Rated 14 Dec 2014
70
34th
OST of the year
Rated 15 Dec 2014
60
45th
I felt like I understood what Favreau wanted to achieve but the movie never really got there. Chill mood fits the film well and the music/driving/food scenes were pretty good. Problem was that the amount of those scenes break the film too much and the pacing feels jarring. Also that RDJ scene was just awful and perfect example of improv gone wrong. Lighthearted fun for lazy sundays.
Rated 27 Dec 2014
37
34th
despite a few moment, there is not Scarlett Johansson in entire movie.
Rated 28 Dec 2014
65
72nd
Spanglish meets Little Miss Sunshine, Jon Favreau style. Don't watch on an empty stomach as the food shots will make your mouth water. Otherwise, an entertaining but very forgettable film...
Rated 28 Dec 2014
59
57th
When this movie is good, it's great... lovely food, lovely family, lovely acting, lovely story... but it felt totally unbelievable... deeply flawed... and unwilling to admit it's flaws. Sort of like Chef Casper. I really want to like it... but not quite.
Rated 05 Jan 2015
65
35th
As formulaic as it may be, Chef's warmth and welcomed analogies to Hollywood is enjoyable. Probably won't remember much about it in a few days, but it filled its two hours well. Sofia Vergara is distracting, in mostly boob ways.
Rated 13 Jan 2015
80
79th
There's no major conflict here and it essentially breaks down to Favs, Legs and the kid travelling the country in a food truck and bonding. While it misses the fact that going viral involves a shit ton of luck, it's a nice light movie. The characters are having fun so you do too, and food SHOULD be fun. RDJ is brilliant in his cameo
Rated 01 Feb 2015
66
41st
There's a point in the middle where things have been going so well, you kind of expect it to turn into a false upturn before a major downward spiral right before the resolution... but naw man, things just get better and better for real.
Rated 18 Feb 2015
82
71st
Tasty.
Rated 04 Apr 2015
20
12th
Starts out fine (the artist vs. critic bit was done better in Birdman), but there's so much fake, forced conflict that you can't help but root against it. None of the characters are developed and 90% of the movie turns out to be father-son bonding that falls completely flat. And then the ending is all wrapped up in a so-sentimental-you'll-vomit bow. I've eaten at the Versailles restaurant in Miami that is so prominently featured in the film, and it was the biggest food disappointment of my life.
Rated 04 Apr 2015
70
41st
Good food, good music, and a good feeling throughout. That said, I had a hard time swallowing a film about staying true to your own artistic vision when the resulting film feels so by-the-numbers. I also for the life of me couldn't figure out how El Jefe and his wife ended up divorced--they liked each other way too much, and with zero tension mucking up the relationship.
Rated 19 Apr 2015
7
57th
Chef is one of the surprising, charming and pleasant gems of 2014. This initially looked like one of the films of the year to avoid and with the exception of his work on Iron Man, I've never been a big fan of Jon Favreau. But credit to the director, writer and star here for doing something refreshingly different. Metaphorically there's an obvious correlation between this film and John Favreau's career. Some of the cameos feel shoehorned in, but the cast is strong and the humour is well balanced.
Rated 26 Apr 2015
100
92nd
Well-written, well-acted, and well-produced. Jon Favreau did an excellent job at the helm of this movie. Great performances by Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, and Favreau. It made crave all the food in the movie too!
Rated 11 May 2015
50
37th
This feels like a bland movie that evades every possible conflict in the movie, all the characters are good guys and the chef just moves along with almost no troubles. Nevertheless is entertaining, but you are left empty afterwards
Rated 03 Jun 2015
75
30th
a nice and funny movie. good music and got even a few laughs from me.
Rated 02 Jul 2015
75
66th
A feast for the senses - taste buds and ears in particular. It's a good-natured crowd-pleaser that's very light on conflict. Mixes passion for cooking, father-son bonding and social media. I wouldn't recommend watching this if you're on a diet or don't have some delicious food to gorge on.
Rated 25 Jul 2015
95
81st
There are some movies that you really enjoy even if you can see the flaws, or at least what other people would view as flaws, Chef was one of these movies. Yes, there does seem to be a lack of conflict, but at the same time I also felt that the conflict was more subtle. Yes, it has the happy ending that you saw coming a mile away, but weren't convinced would happen. I just enjoyed the movie though. It was charming and I couldn't help but smile throughout it.
Rated 29 Jul 2015
80
70th
Not much of a story here, but you've got so much charm and genuine feel-good you don't actually care.
Rated 12 Aug 2015
88
34th
A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.
Rated 12 Aug 2015
75
40th
Jon Favreau serves up some culinary goodness in this comedy about bringing family together through hard work and food. I thought this was a pretty fun movie, but only once he starts working on his food truck. The first half of the movie was a little slow and was so focused on how hard life is and being whiny about food critics. I do love how this movie focuses on the good and bad things that social media can bring to a business...
Rated 31 Aug 2015
35
4th
I love food and cooking but this film bored the pants off us.
Rated 01 Sep 2015
4
87th
Man, there was no way I wouldn't like this. It's food + comedy + road movie.
Rated 05 Sep 2015
45
46th
Beautiful food. Worth seeing that. Otherwise its just bland. Nothing terribly bad. Nothing great either. Just bland.
Rated 28 Sep 2015
70
66th
No film will ever make you want a sandwich more than this.
Rated 06 Oct 2015
70
80th
Best you eat something before you watch this tasty movie ... http://opinion-as-a-moviefreak.blogspot.be/2014/09/chef-2014.html

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