CHEF (2014)

Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) is highly-acclaimed in southern California who seems to have lost his mojo - mainly due to being pushed into "safe" menus from his current boss, restaurant owner Riva (Dustin Hoffman).  Divorced from his wife and with little real quality time for his 10-year-old son, Carl's world tumbles even further when a bad review from a major blogger critic leads to a meltdown that gets him fired, world famous on YouTube for being a nutcase, and - in desperation - purchasing a food truck that, in the end, could be both his personal and professional saving grace, after all.  Written and directed by Favreau as well, the film hits all the right marks and some really sweet moments, but overall for me just felt kind of devoid of real emotion that made me feel connected with the characters.  And with no real conflict via its story, it plays more like a TV-movie maybe just one or two sugary step away from The Hallmark Channel. (rated R)  C

CHEF trailer