The French-Indian War Never Tasted So Good.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” does not sound like a big deal but it can take a lifetime to make the trip. Especially if someone else’s comfort food makes you uncomfortable.

Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal from “California Scheming”) grew up in Mumbai, India, cooking in his family’s restaurant. When the revolution comes, they lose everything and flee to Europe. When their truck breaks down in a little French village, they decide to settle there. His Papa (Om Puri from “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”) buys a rundown restaurant and is bent on bringing Indian cuisine to the French countryside. Unfortunately, just across the street, like 100 feet away, is a famous French restaurant run by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren from “Hitchcock”). She ran the last guy out of business a decade ago and she decides this novelty act of Papa’s has to go.

While Papa and Madame Mallory go to war, young Hassan has something cooking with one her chefs, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon from “Mood Indigo”). I should have known the way to a woman’s heart was not the drive-thru window.

The clash of culture and cuisine and competition make for good courting, but it’s an acquired taste. You have to get past your pre-conceived notions and just put it in your mouth and “let your tongue decide.”

There is a good parable here about conflict. The things that divide these people – their races and their food – soon draw them together. It seems the spice of life is a little tastier when some new ingredients are added in. We fear what we don’t know and have never tried. It takes courage to experiment when the last time out it was brussel sprouts.

The mix of off-beat characters coming out their shell is handled well by Director Lasse Hallstrom (“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”). I found the old-style pace to be soothing, but then I like to enjoy a good meal. Sure, they could have cut 20 minutes out, but this kind of movie is meant to be savored.

So it’s a little sentimental, and you can see it all coming after the first act, but that does not mean you can’t enjoy it. For that reason, I give this movie 3 ½ stars out of 5. It’s time to put down the cheeseburger and order something you can’t pronounce.

Tom Basham is an indie filmmaker. Here is a link to his movie review site:
 http://bashmovies.wordpress.com

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