I was 13 when I saw my first foreign language film at the Academy Cinema in Christchurch. My Life as a Dog was by Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom and it had a massive influence on me; it's one of the reasons I do what I do.
His most recent films
Movie review: The Hundred-Foot Journey
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Helen Mirren as Madame Mallory.
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Papa and Mallory are equally stubborn, and Puri and Mirren are well matched as they stand outside their restaurants throwing insults across the street. In lesser hands the characters may have been cliche, but the excellent comedic timing of these veterans ensures they're affable and amusing.
The younger family members find common ground quicker than the parents, with Puri's charismatic son Hassan (Dayal) getting a grounding in traditional French cuisine thanks to Marguerite (Le Bon), one of Madame Mallory's young chefs. Friendships are lost and found, and family dynamics challenged as new opportunities allow Hassan to pursue his dream of becoming a renowned chef.
Watch the trailer for The Hundred-Foot Journey here:
It may play out predictably, and feature more fake fireworks than it should, but The Hundred-Foot Journey is charming, with enough heart and genuine laughs to forgive its formulaic nature.
Cast:
Helen Mirren, Manish Dayal, Om Puri, Charlotte Le Bon
Director:
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Lasse Hallstrom
Running Time:
122 mins
Rating:
PG
Verdict:
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Pleasant, picturesque entertainment.
- TimeOut
