Film review: Burnt (15)

I’ve never really understood the hype when it comes to celebrity chefs.

Sure, I love good food as much as the next person – and I’ll admit to enjoying a bit of Man v Food and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on TV.

The likes of Gordon Ramsay, however, have always rubbed me up the wrong way. Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper – The Hangover) is pretty much a Ramsay clone in John Wells’ Burnt, although he carries plenty more baggage than the fiery Scot.

At its core, Burnt is a simple tale of redemption. Jones, who has two Michelin stars to his name, bids to get back into the European restaurant scene after an extended exile following some shady behaviour at his previous job in Paris.

His reputation in tatters, he’s determined to put together a new team, regain some gravitas – and grab that final Michelin star.

That leads him to London, where old pal Tony (Daniel Brühl – Inglorious Basterds) runs a hotel and restaurant.

He manages to convince single mum Helene (Sienna Miller – Layer Cake) and another old friend Michel (Omar Sy – Jurassic World) to join him, as the team set about trying to become the place to eat in London.

There’s also cameos from Emma Thompson (Love Actually) as Jones’ doctor and Uma Thurman (Kill Bill) as a food critic, but neither get all that much screen time.

To be honest, I enjoyed Burnt a lot more than I thought I would. Despite a lot of pretentious nonsense and boring filler, the story – although very clichéd – is pretty well done.

Cooper holds everything together with a typically strong showing in the lead role, although his character isn’t all that likeable at times.

The rest of the characters aren’t fleshed out too much, although Miller and Brühl play much more likeable characters and do solid jobs.

There’s a decent twist to look out for too, one that I really didn’t see coming.

Aside from that, there’s nothing too original here and you’re given plenty of hints as to what will happen to Cooper’s character.

Indeed, if you were to compare it to a meal out, you’d probably see Burnt as fast food more than a gourmet dish.

But Cooper’s fine performance alone ensures that you’ll not be left with a nasty after-taste.

Voice Verdict: 6.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Bradley Cooper is brilliant
+ Decent twist
– Clichéd redemption story
– Often boring and pretentious

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Nov 13 to Thurs, Nov 19)

SPECIAL EVENT

THE HUNGER GAMES QUADRILOGY 2D
Nov 18 (4.15pm)

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PT 2 2D
MIDNIGHT SHOWING – November 19 (00.01am)

FILMS SHOWING

**THE HUNGER GAMES MOCKINGJAY PART 2 2D (12A)
2pm (Thurs), 5.15pm (Thurs), 8.30pm (Thurs)

**THE LADY IN THE VAN (12A)
1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (daily), 8.30pm (daily)

**STEVE JOBS (15)
3pm (Fri/Sat), 3.30pm (Mon-Thurs), 6pm (daily), 8.40pm (daily)

BURNT (15)
10am (Sat/Sun), 2pm (Fri/Wed)

SPECTRE (12A)
10.15am (Sat/Sun), 12.10pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 1.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 5pm (daily), 7.30pm (not Thurs), 8.20pm (daily)

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 6 2D (15)
Noon (Wed) 8.45pm (not Wed/Thurs)

**SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE (15)
12.30pm (Wed), 3pm (Thurs), 6.35pm (not Wed/Thurs)

PAN 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12.30pm (Sun)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 2D (U)
12.10pm (Sat/Sun), 2.15pm (Sat/Sun), 4.30pm (not Sun/Wed/Thurs)

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 3D (U)
10am (Sat/Sun)

KIDS CLUB
10.30am (Sat/Sun) – Inside Out 3D (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Spectre (12A)

** FREE LIST SUSPENDED