Tasting Menu (2013)

It was watchable, but much of the time, the characters spoke English rather than Spanish, and the ending credits revealed that it was photographed in IRELAND. That was a disappointment, as I have been to various parts of Spain and they are lovely; not sure why the characters mentioned being on "The Costa Brava" if they were not there.Anyway, apart from that, it was nicely photographed, with beautiful actors, but kind of a flimsy plot. The reasons for the owner(s?) closing the place are never explained, and I would have been interested to learn more about the chef - what inspired her cooking style, how did she become interested in becoming a chef, what was her training like, etc.? Instead, there is a lot of focus on a separated couple who end up getting back together, with little explanation of their marital woes nor why they reunite. There is a very handsome boyfriend, whose motives are equally mysterious. And there is a patron who keeps using his cell phone, who is suspected of being a restaurant critic. It's unclear why anyone cares, because if the restaurant is closing anyway, what harm could possibly be done by a write-up? Would have preferred more "meat" in this movie.

As one of the world's best restaurants opens for its final evening, a couple in the midst of a divorce who made their reservation a year ago (before separating) reunite for a once-in-lifetime meal at a famous restaurant also associated with molecular gastronomy . As the story of various people , set against the backdrop of a glamorous tasting menu meal at the last night of business for Chaluka (elBulli.-alike run by chef Ferran Adrià)set on a bay on Catalonia's Costa Brava, , described as "the most imaginative generator of haute cuisine on the planet" . It is a trendy restaurant whose owner (Andrew Tarbert) and chef as well as a woman named Mar Vidal (Vicenta N'Dongo) have decided to closure it and attempt something different . There comes a recently separated couple Marc (Jan Cornet) and Rachel (Claudia Bassols) , wealthy Japanese businessmen (Togo Igawa) accompanied by a translator girl (Marta Torne) , a mysterious man (Stephen Rea) and an aristocrat lady Comptessa (Fionnula Flanagan) Romantic Spanish comedy with fine actors , charming songs , love stories , and acceptable direction . Fun and uplifting Spanish romantic comedy with fun events , amusement , entertaining situations , dealing with a luxurious restaurant and its iterative creative process on tasty dishes . As the picture displays examined the methods behind the creation of signature dishes . This enjoyable film packs amusement , comical as well as dramatic situations , agreeable comedy including conventional pitfalls and many other things . This is a slightly funny film with entertaining events , giggles , emotion and triangular love stories . This is another Spanish loving comedy romp , it is a bemusing story that contains lots of humor , entertainment , and involving Masterchefs , higher-class guests , doctors and other people . This restaurant where is developed the action bears remarkable resemblance to El Bulli that was closed on July 30, 2011 and was reopened as a creativity centre in 2014 . The fabulous restaurant had a limited season and bookings were taken on a single day after the closing of the current season . Colorful cinematography by Emilio Guirao showing splendidly a small restaurant overlooking a gorgeous Cala at a bay on Catalonia's Costa Brava . The motion picture was well directed by Roger Gual . He is a good director and writer, known for Smoking Room (2002), Remake (2006) and especially this Tasting menu (2013) .

With haute-cuisine as its main theme, one would expect an array of exquisite dishes being served up, and exhibited to every last mouth watering detail. Alas, there are no close up shots of delicious looking food. A highly praised restaurant is mostly so a platform that allows for the characters attending, to act and speak in an affected manner. The problem with that, is that nothing interesting or witty is being said at any point. The script veers oddly between overdone "fine" manners and low brow slapstick.Another issue is the Catalan pretentiousness in this film. It seems the film maker so desperately wants to prove that Catalans are a completely separate entity from Spain, that not a single Spanish person is to be heard or seen. Quite unrealistic if your restaurant is located in Barcelona. The tables are filled with rich Irish, American, English and Japanese customers, to which they abase themselves with no qualms. Elitism is just fine, as long as its not the Spanish rich they have to suck up to.Thirdly, the opening credits promise a special appearance by the Nancys Rubias, a popular punk-pop band in Spain (and Catalunia). When they finally appear, their performance is muted, and is substituted by some random 60s song. We see the band members bop about a few seconds, and that's it; total let down. Which sums up the general modus operandi of the film, it promises a lot and delivers very little.

"Tasting Menu" (2013 release from Spain; 85 min.) brings the story of various people, set against the backdrop of a fabulous tasting menu meal at the last night of business for Chaluka, a trendy restaurant whose owner and chef, a woman named Mar Vidal, has decided to close it and try something different. As the movie opens, we see Mar Vidal being interviewed on TV, with the TV host begging for a seat on that last evening (she refuses). We then get to know a slew of people, all of whom are preparing to show up for the final meal. There is Marc and Raquel, who made their reservation a year ago but since then have separated. They nevertheless decide they don't want to miss this dinner. There are a couple of Japanese guys who fly in from Tokyo, thinking of hiring Mar Vidal for her next project. There is ailing Countess Matilda, who shows up with the ashes of her deceased husband "because he didn't want to miss this". There is Walter Reilly who may or may not be a food critic. And so on. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: first, this is the latest movie from Spanish director Roger Gual (best known for his movie "Smoking Room" a decade or so ago). Second, because there are so many main characters, this movie almost feels like an ensemble piece, or perhaps a soap opera. Will Marc and Raquel get back together? What's the story behind the Countess? Will the Japanese convince Mar Vidal to come to Tokyo? etc. etc. Third, this movie is the latest movie geared specifically towards foodies (with yet more to come--see Jon Favreau's "Chef" about to be released). We see all kinds of interesting dishes (presumably Spanish regional food from the Costa Brava, where the movie is set). Last but not least, there are some interesting acting performances, none more so than Claudia Bassols as the stunningly beautiful Raquel. Bottom line: this movie is a light-hearted romcom that thankfully doesn't take itself too seriously. The movie flew by in no time, but gets away from you like a feather quickly upon leaving the theater. A psychological drama this ain't!"Tasting Menu" opened this past weekend without any pre-release buzz or advertising at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The matinée screening where I saw this at was not well attended, in fact I had a semi-private screening (as in: there was only 1 other person in the theater besides myself). This movie is not bad but neither is it great. If you are in the mood for something that is as yummy but fluffy as a fresh croissant straight from the oven, I'd recommend you check out "Tasting Menu", be it in the theater or on DVD/Blu-ray.