WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Food. We all love it, we all need it to survive, and quite honestly, probably take it for granted. It seems so common in a nation blessed with a bountiful amount. Plus, for many, preparing and cooking food can be one of two things–arduous or an art form. For culinary giant Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper), it is the latter. Having been at the top of the restaurant world by creating some of the most explosively sublime dishes and attaining the elusive second Michelin star, it was truly his oyster. But when bad habits began at the height of his success, Adam fell far, destroying a career and pushing away all those around him who cared for, worked with, and supported him.
Now years later, Adam decides it is time to reclaim his top spot, dreaming to make his mark once again on the Paris scene, pursue the even more coveted third Michelin star, and atone for past sins. Easier said than done, he first attempts to rekindle old relationships with his former boss Tony (Daniel Bruhl), fellow supporting chef Michel (Omar Sy), and others in London to regain his footing, making the final goal to open a new business in Paris. Along the way, he meets chef Helene (Sienna Miller) with whom he slowly develops a liking for. And as Adam’s new quest takes flight, past mistakes and his own intensity and anger surface, threatening to undermine his ultimate dream and force him to look to change himself to succeed.
Next, my Mind:
Well-paced, straight-forward, and very much infused with showing the high-pressure world of elite cooking by elite chefs, “Burnt” is a solid film that allows the characters and this world they inhabit stand center stage without it being pretentious or overbearing. The kitchen sequences are often filled with a palpable tension, effectively illustrating that the Gordon Ramsey approach to keeping, or trying to keep, order among the staff is most certainly not unheard of and very well could be close to the norm when trying to create the exquisite cuisines that garner the highest awards. But, likewise, there are moments where we see cooking as a place of serenity and pride among the chefs represented as well.
For this reviewer, Cooper is perfect for roles like this. While he may overall come across as somewhat “the same guy” he plays in many of his films, there’s a genuineness and a realness to his portrayal of normal, albeit highly skilled, people that lends a sense of relatability to the characters, and here is no exception. Adam is a man on the edge, having had it all, losing it, then fighting to regain it again, and that theme should never grow old. Sienna Miller is a fantastic pairing with Cooper, as her Helene is a strong, talented woman who is willing to stand firm against Adam when needed, but also opens up to him as well. Pivotal supporting turns by Bruhl and Sy add both humor and additional tension to the narrative also.
In total, “Burnt” is a major release with an indie feel, and perhaps that could have been why audiences didn’t go for it as a whole. But that is a shame, because even for any weaknesses the film may have had, it’s like the dishes being served–all about presentation, and director John Wells has cooked up a fun little drama here that deserves to be plated and served.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
