Burnt, starring Bradley Cooper as Adam Jones, is a decent portrayal of a man (a Chef by profession) fighting his own inner demons, coming together in a final release of emotions, as well as some kitchen dynamics/politics. It is more a struggle of a fiercely talented man with substance abuse, rehab, and an attempt to resurrect himself, than being a culinary story.
Image Courtesy: http://www.mtv.com/news/2239690/bradley-cooper-burnt-trailer/
While on screen kitchen stories have been one too many in recent times, this movie is not a story of or about the kitchen, or the culinary journey and we should be able to disassociate the two concepts. One of the key issues the movie deals with is substance abuse, rehabilitation attempts of Adam Jones who happens to be a Michelin star Chef, and his willingness to achieve redemption, fight his own battles, take up responsibility and liberate himself from his dependence on substance or relationships. However, his burning ambition to rise above being the best, his drive for culinary competition and making the wrong things as the most important goals in life, almost breaks him down and destroys him and his relationships. He is finally able to set himself free from his own misgivings and limitations.
Bradley Cooper, as always, is hotness personified and once again lends glamour to Chefs and to the culinary industry with his sleek performance. Sienna Miller, while being good, has very little to do in the plot, and could have been cast better. Daniel Brühl lends some support to the story as an old friend of Adam Jones and being in love with him as well.
John Wells directs an average story, giving it a slick appearance, with a decent screenplay by Steven Knight, based on a story by Michael Kalesniko. With a few high points and a couple of touching scenes, the movie is a good one-time-watch drama but fails to stun or make one think. Good performances by great actors, but not used to their fullest capacities. To sum up – some hot actors, an average story, a cliched background story, a decent screenplay and portrayal.
““Burnt” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian), because when things heat up in the kitchen, curse words fly. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes.” – NYTimes
Worldwide Release: 30.10.15
Cover Image Courtesy: http://www.filmandtvnow.com/first-trailer-for-burnt-has-landed-starring-bradley-cooper/
