Wednesday night I went to the movies and saw CHEF, the 2014 Tribeca Film Award winner.
But wait, you say, that movie isn't out until next week! Well you, of course, are correct - CHEF won't hit theatres until June 6 but I was a lucky duck and won two tickets to a VIP screening, courtesy of Gastropost and VVS Films.
P and I don't have cable so I hadn't seen many trailers for the film - just one YouTube trailer I watched the night before. But I had heard of CHEF through all the buzz it generated through social media and on the award circuit. I honestly didn't know what to expect - I associated Jon Favreau with the rude husband Paul Rudd projectile vomits on in I Love You, Man - but I love watching anything food related and the cast looked solid so I was excited.
I settled in with my bag of popcorn and candy but instantly wished I had a big bowl of beautifully cooked pasta in my lap instead. The food on the screen looked so good I couldn't contain my audible sighs of longing. I would have felt bad if I wasn't surrounded by other foodies making similar "hmmm and ahhh" sounds.
CHEF is funny, heart-warming with a classic message: Believe in yourself and do what makes you happy.
If you're a foodie then you'll love it. If you love to look at Robert Downey Jr, even for just a 5-minute scene then you'll love it too. Cuban music your thing? See it - I was basically dancing in my seat to the music. Or if you're just in the mood for a feel-good movie with some laughs then I highly recommend.
Warning: this movie will make you crave Cubano sandwiches. I have yet to satisfy this craving but I am on the hunt. I may have to resort to making my own if I don't find one soon!
My movie critic-side gives this movie 4.5 stars! CHEF opens Friday, June 6.
