2014 (India / United Arab Emirates / USA) (Comedy, Drama)
Starring: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon
Director: Lasse Hallström
A Member’s Choice Film. An Indian restaurateur and his family flee communal violence in Mumbai, and pitch up in southern France, where they open a gaudy curry joint opposite the local Michelin-starred swank house. Om Puri is the patriarch who finds himself at war with Helen Mirren, playing the outraged owner of the posh place, while Charlotte Le Bon teaches Manish Dayal the saucy secrets of “classic” French cuisine.
Will the Indian family’s zest for life melt Mirren’s glacial heart? Will their spices change her view of food? Will Franglais – “I wish to make a complaint, officialement!” – be spoken?
Puri is great fun as the indomitable head of the family, and Mirren convinces as the grand dame in this good natured feel-good film.