Burnt (2015)

Burnt



Directed by John Wells, Starring Bradley Cooper

A great chef looking to redeem himself.

This is the story of Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) following his path to redemption after destroying his career with drug addiction and going onto achieve the ultimate, but ever elusive goal of the 3rd Michelin Star.

A perfectionist that always seems to be fighting a battle. That seems to be the only way to describe Adam Jones. Once working with a group of talented chefs under their mentor Jean-Luc in Paris; he fought the battle with drugs, and lost; ultimately ruining his own and his friends career's, and the restaurants reputation.

So, what does a perfectionist cook looking to achieve the glory of the 3rd Michelin star do after such a devastating blow? Getting clean of drugs and shucking one million oysters of course. After recruiting friends of old and new determined chefs into his kitchen, Jones opens a new restaurant in London and the battle for the 3rd Michelin star begins.

A scene out of a Gordon Ramsay Television Show is what I first thought of as Jones screamed at his new found warriors in the kitchen and threw plates of food at walls. No mistakes allowed. It isn't perfect? Bin it.

The scenes in the restaurants kitchen were undoubtedly the best, it really got across to me how high the pressure is in a Michelin star kitchen. I know for a fact I definitely felt more hungry after watching this film than before. Bradley Cooper played the role of Adam Jones well, his life's work was cooking and you could really see the emotional investment he puts into every plate of food. Of course, what would a story of finding oneself and redemption be without the cliché of a budding relationship along the way. The ever gorgeous Sienna Miller plays the role of Helene. A new protégée of Jones, Helene brings a fierce passion to the kitchen. While having to care for her young daughter, she works the dream job with the crazy hours. You have to fight for your dreams, and I feel like Sienna Miller portrayed this concept exquisitely. I feel like the storyline of Jones' drug debt could have been explored more, the occasional appearance of two men in suits getting out of a brand new, shiny four by four to throw the odd punch was boring. Paris Mobsters and drug lords should have inspired fear, I just felt like they were a nuisance; show me more delicious cooking god damn it.

Overall, I enjoyed Burnt. It wasn't amazing, it's not going to stay 'burnt' in my memory as an all time great, but it was decent. Worth the watch? Just make sure you eat beforehand.