Burnt

Almost burnt. Shucking oysters in self-imposed exile in New Orleans, after his dramatic crash in haute cuisine Paris, Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) has shed his addictions, and is ready to get back in the kitchen and start cooking. Adam is aiming for the stars – that elusive third Michelin star he was so close to attaining in Paris, before it all went downhill. Is it too late for Adam? Is he too burnt out? Has he burned all his bridges? Of course not – this is Hollywood!

Bradley Cooper is an immensely likable actor and makes the character’s flaws and failings as endearing as his smile. Adam is determined to make a comeback, and convinced that he knows just how to go about it. After all, he overcame his drug and drinking problem all on his own, so he should be able to land on his feet in London and set up a top quality restaurant. It’s fun to follow Adam’s antics as he meets up with a ghost or two from his infamous past, mends fences, twists an arm or two and sets the scene for his new restaurant. However, as delectable as it is to watch him roam the markets, exploring tastes and textures, it soon becomes clear that Adam is not quite as hale and hearty as he believes himself to be.

Getting a touch of Silver Linings Playbook frisson? Burnt is somewhat of a Silver Linings noir, with everything a touch darker, more action oriented, and therefore a tad more suspenseful. The flawed, fit yet fragile protagonist tries to put his life back together is a vehicle that seems to suit Cooper, and he holds the film together well, backed up by some nice supporting actors. Matthew Rhys is deliciously evil as his former kitchen mate and current arch rival, Sienna Miller cute and appealing as his saucier-soon-to-be-love-interest.

There are some surprises, fancy food porn, and all in all it’s a fun, feel-good film.
Opening in theatres on Thursday, October 22, 2015

Burnt (USA, 100 min, 2015, English with Hebrew subtitles)
Directed by John Wells; Written by Steven Knight and Michael Kalesniko; Producers: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Erwin Stoff; Cinematography: Adriano Goldman; Music: Rob Simonsen; Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Daniel Brühl , Omar Sy, Matthew Rhys, Emma Thompson; Uma Thurman.