THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (2014)

Hassan Kadam (the long-under-appreciated Manish Dayal) is a young cook from India who learned his love of cooking and food from his dear mother, who died tragically in a fire that forced the family from their home and restaurant in the violent political uprisings of India.  Finally trying a new life in the south of France, failed brakes strand the family in a small town where Papa Kadam happens to find a building he feels will make the perfect place for his family to start a new restaurant ... directly across the street from a sophisticated French restaurant owned by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), a woman determined to not be bested after finally receiving her first Michelin star.  Mayhem, comedy, and even mutual sabotage ensues, along with a touch of romance ... but the film's strength is its love for food, as seen through the eyes of those would treat it like art.  Not quite as emotionally involving as, say, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but this is a sweet, charming, well-worth-taking journey nonetheless. (rated PG)  B+

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY trailer