An Indian Family from Mumbai owned a restaurant that was lost in a fire. They ended up moving to England to start over. But according to the son and cook of the family, they had to leave their home in England's Heathrow flight path, because the vegetables in England have no soul. So they end up in France. And through a mishap, they end up in a small village.
In this village the father, Papa Kadam (played by Om Puri) spots a decrepit old building and has a vision of it being a restaurant. What he soon finds out is that a Michelen 1 star restaurant is across the street, owned by a driven and obsessed owner, Madam Mallory (Helen Mirren). Madam Mallory is disgusted by Indians opening a restaurant across the street. She hates their music and the smell of curry in the air. The two owners declare war on each other, and a lot of trouble ensues. And as you might suspect it is exactly 100 feet from their door to hers.
The "Maison Mumbai" has as it's primary cook (chef actually), son Hassan. One of Madam Mallory's up and coming chefs is a young woman Margurite (Charlottes Le Bon) who first befriended the family when their van broke down...(the aforementioned mishap). Young Hassan can prepare magical meals as he was taught by his mother to not just cook the meals but to feel it and feel the ghosts in those that came before it. Sadly, Mom died in the fire that destroyed the family restaurant in Mumbai.
Eventually to seek peace, and because he yearns to learn about all cooking, Hassan asks to prepare a omelet for Madam Mallory. He has learned that this is how Madam Mallory judges potential chefs. She has him prepare an omelet, and then takes a single bite. She can tell by that single bite whether the chef has what it takes. The problem is that Hassan has had his hands burnt in a vandal set fire, and he cannot hold a utensil. So he instructs Madam Mallory on the exact way to prepare it; how to whip the eggs, how much of each ingredient and so on. Finally as it is ready, Madam Mallory takes that first bite, and in true acting genius, done entirely with the eyes Helen Mirren lets the audience know that this is one of the most extraordinary things she's ever put in her mouth. She ends up - after spending a night sleeping in Maison Mumbai - convincing Papa Kadam to let her help train his son.
He does go to her posh restaurant, and in a year, not only does he get her another Michelin Star, but Papa and Madam Mallory become friends. And of course Chef Hassan is taken to Paris, hired by a 2 star that wants to become a 3 star (which is the top). In the ensuing year, he becomes the star of the Paris cooking world, and achieves great success. But something is missing, and it is mostly Margurite. So Hassan returns to the small village, determined to get the third star there.
This was a light hearted, fun, family-friendly movie that left us feeling good. Papa and Madam Mallory ended up being close friends. Hassan and Margurite acted as if they were on their way to the altar. Both restaurants seemed to have a niche.
This was a great cast directed by Swedish Director Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Cider House Rules). This movie had a lot of heart, and we had a genuine care about the characters. The bad guys get fired, the good guys get hired and go on to achieve great things, and it all works out in the end.
Disney has embraced the idea of doing Indian friendly movies (The Million Dollar Arm and this to mention a couple) because they understand that the film will do well here, but will be explosive in the huge huge huge Indian market. This wonderful film will probably make more money for Disney there than it will in the good old USA. And that's okay. Indian actors maybe could use more exposure. My wife couldn't get over how handsome Hassan (Manish Dayal) is, and I thought the actress playing his sister Mahira (Farzana Dua Elahe) was a babe beyond belief. Indians are such good looking people after all.
This is a no brainer. Is it The Godfather or Citizen Kane? No. But it is a fun, nice, and entertaining reason to spring for some over-priced popcorn. If you decide to check it out, I can't believe you'd be disappointed.
GRADE: B+
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