COMME UN CHEF / THE CHEF

France, 2012, 84 minutes, Colour.
Jean Reno, Michael Youn, Raphael Aggouge.
Directed by Daniel Cohen.

Why is it that so many words in English that we use for cooking and eating are actually French words: cuisine, restaurants, cafes, gourmet, soufflé…? Well, one reason is that no one has really thought there could be British cuisine (though fish and chips can make a claim). Comme un chef is a vivid – and amusing – reminder of the supremacy of the French in the art of food and dining.

This is a lighthearted, odd couple comedy. Jean Reno, who has appeared in many a comedy, but who is usually the straight man in the duo, as he is here as Alexandre, a master chef for fifteen years, whose career is on the rocks (he is suffering from menu-block) and is threatened by a money man who is interested in molecular cooking. (I must Google that and see if it actually exists.)

The other member of the odd couple is Michael Youn as Jacky, a young cook who lives and breathes cooking. He knows all the details of Alexandre’s menus, their ingredients as well as the dates and places of their introduction. By chance, he becomes Alexandre’s assistant, challenging him but also saving his reputation and restaurant.

Actually, this is a very genial film, a nice film, a feelgood and (vicariously, a taste-good) film, so the conflicts are for comic effect and not long-lasting. The two become good friends and Alexandre helps Jacky when his pregnant partner gets exasperated with Jacky who has been fired from too many jobs.

Food has delighted many audiences, seriously in such films as Babette’s Feast (Babette went from her restaurant in Paris to Jutland), comically in such films as Ratatouille (French setting, of course). For some the food is mouth watering (though, as with French dining, the portions could be larger!). For others, the cooking and recipes can be fascinating.

Whether you are a foodie or not, this is a pleasant light entertainment.

‘I did Google and thought I should share Wikipedia’s comments for those, like me, who did not know: Molecular gastronomy is a subdiscipline of food science that seeks to investigate, explain and make practical use of the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur while cooking, as well as the social, artistic and technical components of culinary and gastronomic phenomena in general. Molecular gastronomy is a modern style of cooking, which is practiced by both scientists and food professionals in many professional kitchens and labs and takes advantage of many technical innovations from the scientific disciplines.
The term "molecular gastronomy" was coined in 1992 by late Oxford physicist Nicholas Kurti and the French INRA chemist Hervé This. Some chefs associated with the term choose to reject its use, preferring other terms such as "culinary physics" and "experimental cuisine".’ (Who said the movies are not educational!)

1. A film for food-lovers? French cuisine? Universal appeal?

2. The title, the French words associated with food, cooking?

3. The Paris setting, the restaurants, the kitchens, the dining areas? The city? The old people’s home? Nevers, the countryside? The jaunty score?

4. A modern fairy tale, Jacky and his dreams, failures and being fired, his love for Beatrice, her expecting their child? The underdog, with talent, with a prickly personality, final success?

5. The film as a variation on The Odd Couple, Alexandre and Jacky, clash, bonding, nice, success – and the final credits sequence and their arguing?

6. The introduction to Jacky, his applications for cooking jobs, the ordinary men and their wanting their meals with fries, the insults? Beatrice’s ultimatum for him to get a regular job, not be fired? The painting job, for six months, on the ladder, the boss? Looking in the window at the kitchen, offering advice? The residents reacting to his cuisine? His watching Alexandre on the television? His hopes? Knowing all of Alexandre’s recipes, the dates and places, the ingredients?

7. Beatrice, with Jacky, unwilling to get married? Pregnancy? The issues of income, support? Jacky and his lying about the job at the restaurant? Skyping advice to his friends in the old people’s home? The phone calls, Beatrice’s arriving, his seeing her on the Skype, her decision to leave? Jacky’s visit to Nevers, his proposal, her rejection? The birth of the child? The proposal in hospital? The contract, the ring? Happy ending?

8. Alexandre, his status, manner, his three stars restaurant? His block in creating menus? The accusations that he was old-fashioned, 20th century? His menus? Stanislas and his plans, to oust Alexandre? Alexandre’s daughter, her thesis, his always being busy? His relationship with his staff? His TV show? Solid reputation, autographs? At the old people’s home, Stanislas’s father, tasting the soup? Recognising his recipe? Meeting Jacky, arguing with him? Jacky going to work, late, Alexandre having control of creativity? The two arguing? Going on television – and the clash about the herbs?

9. The critics coming to the restaurant? Praising the meal? Alexandre accepting the praise? His acknowledgment of Jacky? Alexandre changing, supporting Jacky? The warning by the critics about molecular cooking? The visit from the cook in Spain, his tantrums, the satire on the meals? Going to the rival restaurant, disguised as Japanese, the farcical behaviour, the owner of the restaurant? The nature of the rivalries – Stanislas bringing his entourage to remodel the kitchen?

10. Alexandre, his staying for his daughter’s thesis, reading it, having to leave because of the crisis? His giving the credit to Jacky for the successful meal? Stanislas and his praise?

11. Jacky alone, the refusal to sell vegetables? Going to the grocer at the corner, creating the meal, success? Stanislas’s father? Persuading his son to give a contract to Jacky? And his car to drive to Nevers?

12. The sketch of the characters in the staff, the three cooks at the hospital, their helping out Jacky with the testing of the meals, in the finals?

13. The Skype episode, Jacky helping the cooks at the residence for the elderly? The visit to Nevers, Alexandre helping, driving, the parents and their support of Jacky, his failure? Alexandre and the encounter with Carole?

14. The ending, Alexandre stepping down, going to Nevers to work with Carole? Jacky and his being in charge in Paris?

15. The proposal, acceptance?

16. The final scene – and the two cooks sparring on television? And entertainment and feel-good film?