Chef

Name: Chef
Genre: Comedy
Released: May 9, 2014
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, John Leguizamo, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr.

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 337 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 337 Ratings

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Chef

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Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films | Release Date: May 9, 2014 | R

Starring: Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman, John Leguizamo, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sofía Vergara

Summary: Chef Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) loses his restaurant job, so he starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

Director: Jon Favreau

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 114 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

May 15, 2014

Chef is the best thing he (Favreau) has ever done, as writer or director or actor. It's the sort of thing of beauty that filmmakers are ultimately remembered for. Read full review

Ty Burr

May 15, 2014

An engaged, engaging voyage of (re)discovery that’s too in love with its subject to qualify as food porn. It’s food romance. Read full review

Jeff Baker

May 22, 2014

Favreau's a big man who knows how to wield a chef's knife and shoots the food truck scenes with a hectic good nature that's infectious. Read full review

Clark Collis

May 7, 2014

The first two thirds of Chef crackle with hunger-inducing imagery and laughter-provoking gags. Read full review

Joe Leydon

Mar 10, 2014

The final destination is entirely predictable — right down to the deus ex machina reappearance of an erstwhile antagonist — but the trip itself is never less than pleasant, and often extremely funny. Read full review

Stephen Holden

May 8, 2014

[A] shallow but enjoyable all-American morality play. Read full review

The Playlist Drew Taylor

Mar 10, 2014

While the more down-to-earth Chef does offer some fascinating autobiographical dimensions, the film is also an overlong, unfunny, largely insufferable bore. Read full review

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User Reviews

MovieGuys

Jun 1, 2014

Who knew a movie about a food truck could turn into one of the best movies of the year? Of course, that's a rudimentary plot synapsis, but it is the heart and soul of the film. It's sometimes sweet, but sometimes serious. It has a nice blend of wit and humor, and features an amazing scriptWho knew a movie about a food truck could turn into one of the best movies of the year? Of course, that's a rudimentary plot synapsis, but it is the heart and soul of the film. It's sometimes sweet, but sometimes serious. It has a nice blend of wit and humor, and features an amazing script that just feels like everyday conversation. The best part of the movie is what many directors strive for but never fully achieve: it shows how skilled professionals work, and how they feel when they do what they love (or hate for that matter). The food shown in the movie makes you lick your lips and just want to eat all the gourmet dishes Chef Casper prepares. And in some ways, the movie resembles the food he prepares: fresh, irresistible, and easily taken in. I could go on and on about what a good movie this was.… Expand

11 of 12 users found this helpful111

Panchogul

Jun 21, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Chef sin duda esta sazonada con mucho positivismo, humor y entusiasmo, el reparto parece divertirse con sus personajes, se les nota espontáneos de principio a fin y la química que tienen es muy amigable. Siento que tuvo calificación R por el lenguaje obsceno, pero fuera de eso es muy apta para todo público.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

danipp

Mar 13, 2015

Delicious! An amazing comedy about family, food and also digital marketing. No villains but a comedy about the ordinary life of a very talented Chef who quits his job and starts selling food in a food truck. Seeing this makes you wanna eat...A LOT. And you will also laugh like hell and learnDelicious! An amazing comedy about family, food and also digital marketing. No villains but a comedy about the ordinary life of a very talented Chef who quits his job and starts selling food in a food truck. Seeing this makes you wanna eat...A LOT. And you will also laugh like hell and learn about how to promote your businness on social networks, specially Twitter. The end needed a better contextualization of supporting characters lives but Chef is incredible. Must see!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

werd_119

Oct 7, 2014

It's a cute movie. Favreau continues to be an amazing director that stars in his own films. There's an energy and sincerity for the art of making food that instantly makes you hungry. The child actor isn't grating, the Cameo by Robert Downey Jr. is excellent, and the Scarlett Johansson bitIt's a cute movie. Favreau continues to be an amazing director that stars in his own films. There's an energy and sincerity for the art of making food that instantly makes you hungry. The child actor isn't grating, the Cameo by Robert Downey Jr. is excellent, and the Scarlett Johansson bit was well done. John Leguizamo continues to be typecast, but he's believable and good in the role. It also ends upbeat. It's cute.

The only thing that really detracts from it being a perfect movie is the fairly supreme lack of adversity. A man swallows his pride and goes from a bad station in life, to a better one, all while reuniting with his child. I have no problem with trite, and I love movies that are positive, but in my book, this one could have had a bit more gravitas.

It's a happy little splash in the pan, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't have the weight to pull a 10/10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rivera74

Jun 9, 2014

Funny, smart, interesting, full of Latin music but too long and sometimes unemotional. The portrayal of Favreau is good and the simplest interpretation of Vergara was enjoyable. I was a little lost in the Robert Downey Jr scene, for me, totally unnecessary. But, I had a good time seeing thisFunny, smart, interesting, full of Latin music but too long and sometimes unemotional. The portrayal of Favreau is good and the simplest interpretation of Vergara was enjoyable. I was a little lost in the Robert Downey Jr scene, for me, totally unnecessary. But, I had a good time seeing this movie. I recommend it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

zperry-20

Aug 16, 2014

Apart from dead end character ( characters that weren't necessary ) , Chef provides laughs and heart , some of the best child acting and all of the lead characters were strong. But there were some cringe worthy social media scenes.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bakugan364er

Nov 14, 2021

I love the concept of this movie, but there's just too much language, even a 10 year old saying the S word! I mean come one!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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56	#56 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
51	#51 Most Shared Movie of 2014