LOVE’S KITCHEN

UK, 2010, minutes, Colour.
Dougray Scott, Claire Forlani, Simon Callow, Peter Bowles, Lee Boardman, Gordon Ramsay, Holly Gibb, Michelle Ryan, Cherie Lunghi,
Directed by James Hacking.

Love’s Kitchen might be called a romantic trifle.

The film focuses on a chef who loses his wife, loses his zest, is reduced to ordinary kitchen work in a diner. He is played by Dougray Scott. He is persuaded to open a pub in the countryside, initially not succeeding, with a chorus of two old blokes commenting on what they see in the pub. He is also threatened by the local landowner, played by Peter Bowles. He has a daughter who is a food critic. She visits the pub, begins a relationship with the chef, and he gets some of his old magic back.

Also in the cast, for lovers of television cooking programs, is Gordon Ramsay as himself. On the other hand, Simon Callow does a very entertaining sendup of a food critic, narcissistic, fond of the drink, who is the bane of his producer. However, he comes to the rescue when he is happy with the food in the pub, filming an episode for television. There are some misunderstandings between the chef and the critic, especially because of her father, settled in court – on the road for a happy ending.

The critic is played by Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott’s wife in real life.


1. The title? Expectations? Romantic comedy? And food? Cooking and catering?

2. British film, British tone, reticence? The theme of British food, with heart? The different restaurants?

3. London, the café, the village, the pub, transforming it? The countryside, the mansion, the interiors? The local town hall? The musical score?

4. The background of Rob and his skills? His wife and wanting to buy the pub? The phone, her speeding, her death? The effect on Rob, on Michelle? His working in the café, poor food? The bad review by Kate? Putting it on the wall?

5. The visit, the owner of the pub, talking about the money and because of no sale previously? The two old fellows drinking? Few customers? Kate, chatting with the owner, the explanations?

6. Buying the pub, refurbishing it? Kate and her interest, helping? His taking :os. Shaunal, Loxn going to the stall, the cook and of the trifle, joining the staff? The set-up, no customers?

7. Kate’s father, pompous style, his former wife, the head of the local council, his present wife and her patience, criticism? The party? Kate and her presence, James and the memories of the past? The father, his coming to the pub, criticism, threats, not wanting traffic, tourists?

8. James, pomposity, put out of the military, relationships, sexual relationships, wanting Kate, his fetish of the underwear, his using it against Kate with Rob, her taking it to the council session? His plan with her father, the rats, the health inspector, the pub being closed down, his dressing up in commando disguise,? Going to the council, his accusations, Rob not going, Kate and her presence, refuting the arguments, butting in, being ousted? Her mother presiding, the criticism of the bikies, the irony of her riding the bike, going to tell Rob?

9. Rob, his moodiness, his skill in meals, the free meal for Kate? His winning people over with the trifle? His love for Michelle? Her anger with him about turning Kate away?

10. Kate, her background, her father and his work in the music industry, philanderer, leaving the family? Her going to the US, becoming Californian? Her return home, food, critic? Robert and his dislike of critics? Her winning him over, her friendship with Michelle, the relationship? The case, James and his treachery, Rob and his anger, telling Kate off?

11. Guy and his television show, Simon Callow relishing the role, on set, eating the food, drinking? His lament about Rob and his decline? Her producer, her exasperation? The decision to do a program on the Boot? His driving down, the staff not we wanting him to meet Rob? Their embracing? The happy meal? His coming back to The Boot, his minder stopping him drinking, the tension at The Boot, the success of the meal? And his enjoying the wine?

12. The good review? The crowds coming? Guy and his TV program? Rob and his speeding, going across the field, apology to Kate, reconciliation?

13. A light comedy, appreciation of food, characters that audiences can identify with?