In case you missed it, Le French Film Festival 2022 is currently underway at selected GSC locations nationwide. I love whenever festivals like this come around our way because they tend to be the only opportunity we get to watch these movies on the big screen. When I took a look at the list of screenings (and there are many!), there was one film that truly caught my eye. To be fair, any film about food would interest me, but there was just something about Délicieux that grabbed my attention.
Set in France in the late 1700s, Délicieux tells the story of Chef Pierre (Grégory Gadebois) who, after getting fired by his employer, the Royal Baron, finds himself aimless and living the peasant life, unsure whether he will ever be able to cook again. But then, an unknown woman turns up at his doorstep wanting to be his apprentice, and it unwittingly sets him down a journey of rediscovery.
Do Not Watch This on an Empty Stomach
Within the first 5 minutes alone, running alongside the opening credits, is a beautiful sequence of Pierre masterfully creating his small potato pies, to which the film shares its name. This truly sets the tone for the rest of the film. I think it goes without saying that this is not a film you would want to sit and enjoy on an empty stomach, because heaven knows, the dishes on screen look so incredibly delectable that they would have leave you starved. All of this is credit to both the director, Éric Besnard, as well as his DOP, because they have pulled off something truly fantastic when it came to filming all the steps within the kitchen. There are some moments that look like paintings, and I think that is a testament to the detail that Besnard has taken towards this film.
And speaking of Mr. Besnard, you almost wonder if he had actually trained as a chef, because not only did he direct the film, he also wrote it alongside Nicolas Boukhrief. The reason I mention this is because Besnard manages to capture the trials and tribulations of what it takes to become a master cook. From the tedious slicing and dicing of ingredients, to the way Pierre arranges his mis en place, as well as the frustration it takes to create an elegant banquet. So much so that you truly understand and sympathize with the roller coaster of events it took for Pierre to finally achieve his end goal of having a place of his own.
I Really Want Some of Those Pies!
Credit of course has to be given to Grégory Gadebois who is perfect casting for a character like Pierre. The whole way through, you are with him, by his side, experiencing every single win and loss, screaming at the screen from time to time, and praying that the universe would just gives him a break. Nothing is ever easy in life. Just when you think that everything has finally come out on top, something new shows up to challenge you once again. But no matter what happened, he never gave up. Because food is his life. The kitchen is his life. And I think many people will see a part of themselves in Pierre. Again it is Gadebois’ humble charm, sharp wit, and eagle eyed focus, that made this utterly believable and a joy to watch.
What stops Délicieux from being near perfect, however, is the story of his assistant, Louise, played by Isabelle Carré. While Ms. Carré did the best she could with the material, I felt like Besnard and Boukhrief focused so much on Pierre, that Isabelle felt a bit too one dimensional. He revelation as to why she came to Pierre just felt flat. We understand her reasoning and intentions but, given a bit more time, something much deeper could have been fleshed out.
This is also one of the rare times that I wish we saw more story. I think that the 117 minutes we got just wasn’t enough. It’s either that, or there were a number of plot points that they could have easily written out. One case in point would be Pierre’s father, who was essentially introduced as a sort of drunken elder they take care of, and then (spoilers) dies while carrying a vat of wine, is buried, and everyone moves on. Yes, I understand it was there to showcase that no matter what happens in life, a chef’s duty is always to his food, but it just felt like it came out of nowhere. It’s almost as if the actor had other commitments and they had to figure out how to release him.
Despite these minor nitpicks, however, Délicieux is a film that I couldn’t recommend enough. Regardless if you are an amateur cook or a professional chef, this is a gentle reminder of why you started cooking in the first place. A love letter to foodies and chefs all around the world who, when faced with adversity, never ever give up. It is about of the importance of food, and how it heals us and brings us all together. It is a reminder that no matter how rich or poor you may be, everyone deserves to eat like a king.
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