The Hundred Foot Journey

Movie Title--  The Hundred-Foot Journey

Release Year--  2014

Running Time--  2 Hours and 2 Minutes

Director--  

Cast--  Helen Mirrin, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon

When an Indian family relocates to a small town in France and opens a traditional India restaurant 100 feet across the street from a traditional French restaurant a rivalry between the two begins.

When Hassan (Manish Dayal) is young his mother (Juhi Chawla) teaches him the guidelines she has always used to cook and she teaches him to feel the spirit of the food.  When an accidental fire causes the death of his mother, his Papa (Om Puri) takes the family to settle in a new place.  They come across a small french village and are helped when their car breaks down by a young woman who is a sous chef name Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) at the local upscale french restaurant run by Madam Mallory (Helen Mirren).

Papa decides to buy the building across the street from the french restaurant and turn it into a traditional India restaurant which causes some friction between the family and Madam Mallory.  Soon it becomes clear that Hassan is interested in learning the art of french cuisine from Madam Mallory.  After proving himself as a able student, Madam Mallory takes him as a student which changes his life completely

I thought that this film was pretty good, although it was a little long.  I feel like there are a few parts that could have been removed and the film would still have been excellent.  This is a story about growth and bettering one's self.  It shows that no matter how young or old you are, you still have room to learn new things if only you apply yourself.

Helen Mirren does a great job, as always, in this film.  I feel like she is so versatile and can pull just about any roll off.  She has great co-stars in Manish Dayal and Om Puri; the two of them are great in their own way.  Om Puri plays the older, knowledgeable (although not always right) father and Manish Dayal plays the young son, willing to learn and ready to help better their lives.  Together the three of them help hold the audience's attention the entire way though the film and it is excellent to experience.

I think this is a good film to get together with your girlfriends and watch.  As stated before it is a great story about the growth.  Sit down with a bottle of french wine and Don't Forget the Popcorn!