Susan Granger’s review of “Burnt” (The Weinstein Company)
Attention: Foodies! While this culinary redemption tale features delectable dishes, the chef should have added a bit more spice.
After scruffy, rebellious Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) shucks a million oysters as penance, he leaves New Orleans and moves to London, determined to regain the fame he once enjoyed as a celebrated, two-Michelin-starred chef in Paris – before addiction to drugs and alcohol ruined his reputation.
Hired as head chef by his old frenemy/maître d’ Tony (Daniel Bruhl), Adam is obsessed with winning that coveted third Michelin star, the highest possible rating from the French restaurant guide.
To that end, he convinces miraculously forgiving Michel (Omar Sy) to work for him, along with Italian ex-con Max (Riccardo Scamarcio), David (Sam Keeley), and Helene (Sienna Miller), a talented, yet insecure sous chef and spunky single mother. Adam’s goal: “To make food that makes people stop eating.”
Working from a story by Michael Kalesniko, it’s clumsily scripted by Steven Knight (“The Hundred-Foot Journey”) and directed as a character study by John Wells (“August: Osage County,” “The Company Men”). Adam’s comeback is predictable from the get-go, including his relationship with Reese (Matthew Rhys), his longtime rival.
The most memorable scenes take place in chaos of the kitchen, particularly when Adam and his staff are anxiously preparing a meal for people they assume to be Michelin judges. Apparently, John Wells consulted with celebrity chef Mario Batali, and the authentic prep-and-plate sequences were supervised by Britain’s Marcus Warein.
And it’s not surprising when abusively arrogant Adam admits, “A kitchen is the only place I ever felt I really belonged.”
Unfortunately, the strong supporting cast (Uma Thurman, Alicia Vikander, Emma Thompson) is given too little to do. And there are far too many subplots that reek with melodrama.
FYI: Actor Bradley Cooper played a chef once before – in the short-lived TV series “Kitchen Confidential,” based on Anthony Bourdain’s memoir.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Burnt” is a bland, formulaic 5, recalling far better foodie flicks, like “Big Night,” “Ratatouille,” “Chef” and “Babette’s Feast.”.
