I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with a Wonky Wednesday RETRO look at BURNT, a 2015 film, directed by John Wells, starring Bradley Cooper. A recovering abusive chef takes over a London restaurant in pursuit of a 3rd Michelin star

2.5 out of 5

Another compulsively rewatchable film built entirely around Bradley Cooper’s ability to play a charmingly obnoxious prick who lectures everyone around him. I love him in these roles and wish he would go back to them! Other than a shocking twist halfway through that is both implausibly complex and compelling, you’ve seen all these obvious story beats before. All the side characters are defined by one trait and only there to bask in the jackass genius glow of Bradley Cooper. But like THE BEAR (which oddly exists in the same cinematic world), it is an enormous amount of fun to see high pressure kitchen drama. The screaming, the destruction, and yes, my God, the sumptuous food. Its all so entertaining and escapist. But yes, anything outside of the kitchen is dreadful.

Best Scene. I think you have to go with the opening night kitchen freakout. It is so bombastic and soapy, and Cooper gets to scream at everyone, its just a lot of fun.

Best Performance. You know, on rewatching this, I was struck by a short shot of Uma Thurman eating a bite of a fabulous meal. Her face shows her going through about 5 or 6 emotions in that bite and it is really a lovely. Matthew Rhys was also delightful as the preening bitchy chef always trying to compete with Cooper. Daniel Bruhl’s character gets an offensive storyline, but his underplaying is sweet.

An absurd foodie soap opera, but so entertaining!