![]() ![]() After an initial business misstep in London, Papa believes it is fate that their van breaks down just outside of the French town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, that they meet a local foodie, a young woman named Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), who introduces them to the abundance of fresh locally sourced produce, seafood and meats, and that there is an abandoned restaurant property on the outskirts of town for sale. Following the tragic death of Hassan's mother, his well-off but frugal Papa Kadam (Om Puri) decides to pack up the family and move to Europe to open a restaurant, the business to keep to his wife's memory in their love of South Asian cuisine. In his role, Hassan considers himself a cook and not a chef as he was never professionally trained. Their entire family works together in their open air eatery in Mumbai. Kenneth Chisholm Kadam (Manish Dayal), the oldest of five siblings, was taught how to cook, but more importantly truly taste and love food, by his mother. In response, there is a bridging of sides initiated by Hassan, Marguerite, and Madame Mallory (Dame Helen Mirren), both professional and personal, that encourages an understanding that will change both sides forever. The resulting rivalry eventually escalates in personal intensity until it goes too far. Unfortunately, this puts the Kadams in direct competition with the snobbish Madame Mallory's acclaimed haute cuisine establishment across the street where Marguerite also works as a sous-chef. Once there, a chance auto accident and the kindness of a young woman, Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon), in the village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val inspires Papa Kadam (Om Puri) to set up a Indian restaurant there. Drifting through Europe after fleeing political violence in India that killed the family restaurant business and their mother, the Kadams arrive in France. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.The family of talented cook, Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal), has a life filled with both culinary delights and profound loss. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. You're listening to MORNING EDITION from NPR News.Ĭopyright © 2014 NPR. GREENE: Kenneth Turan reviews movies for MORNING EDITION and also for the Los Angeles Times. But enjoyable as "Hundered-Foot Journey" can be, it's still possible to wish that its gloss was not quite so shiny, that everything about it was not so exactly on the nose, to wish that the film had more of the messy juices of life flowing through its veins. TURAN: It would be foolish to pretend the result of all these labors is not effective entertainment. PURI: (As Papa Kadam) It's called meanness of spirit. MIRREN: (As Madame Mallory) That is called subtlety of flavor. OM PURI: (As Papa Kadam) You seduce his mind with your awful, tasteless, empty sauces - with your pitiful little squashed bits of garlic. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY) Soon enough his father and Madame Mallory are fighting about Hassan's future and the merits of their respective national cuisines. Then the focus shifts to Hassan, Papa Kadam's oldest son and an individual with exceptional culinary gifts. TURAN: Despite the intimidating presence of Madame Mallory, Papa Kadam opens an Indian restaurant just 100 feet from her door. ![]() HELEN MIRREN: (As Madame Mallory) In this restaurant, the cuisine is not an old, tired marriage. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY") They end up in a tiny town where Madame Mallory, proud proprietor of a restaurant with a Michelin star, cracks the whip at her staff. Tragedy causes the Kadam family to relocate from India to France. Their establishments create such mouth-watering dishes, that seeing this film on an empty stomach is not recommended. Journey stars canny veterans Helen Mirren and Om Puri, who play competing restaurateurs named Madame Mallory and Papa Kadam. Its story of cuisines and cultures and conflict has been polished to the highest possible sheen. ![]() KENNETH TURAN: "The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a sweet and unapologetic fairy tale for adults. That's the recipe in the new film "The Hundred-Foot Journey." Here's Kenneth Turan's review. ![]()
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