SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE
US, 1999, 95 minutes, Colour.
Sarah Michelle Geller, Sean Patrick Flanery, Patricia Clarkson, Dylan Baker, Christopher Durang, Betty Buckley.
Directed by Mark Tarlow.
Simply Irresistible is a pleasant but not a particularly memorable movie. It is a big screen vehicle for television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Geller who had appeared to better effect in the Scream thrillers and as the villain in Cruel Intentions. It is a 20 somethings' movie featuring fashionable stores, restaurants, clothes and a romantic storyline about men and women who are successful in business.
What makes it a little different is that, despite the 'magical realism' with Amanda's guardian angel and the strangely unusual crab helping Amanda with her recipes, it highlights the profound effect food can have on people. It also emphasises the importance of cooks putting their talents and, in fact, themselves, into their meals. The meals in the movie transform those who eat them: they tell the truth; they share the sadness of the cook; they are overwhelmed by silence, savouring their food. This theme was dramatised profoundly in Babette's Feast. Here, it is presented with serious intent, but with a frothy, light touch. Amanda's food is alive with her spirit.
1. A souffle of a movie? The focus on cooking, on magic realism, on romance?
2. The Manhattan settings, the restaurants, the stores, the markets and apartments? An atmosphere of realism for the magic? The musical score and the songs?
3. The title and its focus on Amanda, her cooking, the meals? The relationship with Tom?
4. The plausibility of the plot, Amanda and her mediocre cooking, her aunt, the market, the crab, the magic powers through him, the attraction to Tom, the clash with the girlfriend, her being hired, the magic meal and its effect on Tom and Amanda, on the other guests, the clash and the reconciliation? Satisfying conventional material?
5. Sarah Michelle Gellar as Amanda, her television impact, on the big screen? An ordinary person, her work in the restaurant, her not being particularly gifted? Her going to the market, meeting Tom, the new restaurant, her own restaurant and its decline? Her work in the kitchen? Her encounter with Tom and his girlfriend, the magic crab? Gene O'Reilly and his protection? Chris and her tantrum in the restaurant, breaking the plates and Amanda's reaction?
6. Amanda and the reputation for the cooking, good business at her own restaurant? Eating the dessert with Tom, the kiss, floating up to the ceiling? Tom and his reaction, calling her a witch? The boss and the decision to hire Amanda for the opening night? Her cooking, the pressures, each of the different courses, her joy and her tears in the meal? Tom and his hostility? His change of heart? The reconciliation, going back to the party?
7. Amanda as an unsuccessful cook, emulating her mother, assisted by the chef and her aunt? The device of the magic crab, the ubiquitous angel, Gene O'Reilly, watching over her, sending Tom into her life?
8. The crab meal for Tom, his response, Chris's response and emotions?
9. Amanda's talent growing - or not? Her self-confidence? The customers? The resignation of the French cook, the scepticism of the under-cook? The big break, her tears in the entrée?
10. The response of the guests to the food at the banquet, tears, silent savouring of the meal, romance surfacing, the truth about themselves, the hopes for their lives, their confessions and honesty, the changes wrought by Amanda's food and her spirit?
11. Tom as the successful businessman, attracted to Amanda, the meal, his girlfriend, being frightened of Amanda's seeming witchcraft, the banquet, his surliness, going after her, the reconciliation?
12. The range of supporting characters for this kind of film: the aunt and her genial care for Amanda, the French cook and his inabilities, the under-cook and scepticism, Gene O'Reilly and his protection, Chris and her tantrums, the boss and the organising of the meal?
13. A piece of light confection?
