Movie Review: What's Cooking?

Story: What's Cooking? is a tasty morsel. It is like a snack (nosh) -- not very fulfilling but it still hits the spot. I can easily think of several films revolving around food that were much more satisfying (Like Water for Chocolate, Babette's Feast and Eat, Drink, Man, Woman) but this Sundance hit has a lot going for it for you to enjoy. I also think my California friends and relatives will get a kick out of the California location and multi-culti lifestyle. Co-writer (with her husband) and director Gurinder Chadha (Bhaji on the Beach) is British, raised in Kenya and of Indian descent. No wonder she understands the highs and lows of multiculturalism! Basically we have four families depicted over a two day period before Thanksgiving. I will skip the politically correct hyphenated tags and go straight to what they are - Jewish, Black, Vietnamese and Mexican. There are about 40 characters, all with speaking parts. We get strong women, a meddlesome mother-in-law, family secrets, politics, interracial couples, lesbians, first generation American teens, their problems and lots and lots of food. Glorious food! It is by far, the best thing about the film. The editing during the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal brought collective smiles to this theater audience. The shameless manipulative ending was unfortunate and 'gimmicky' -- but I will go easy on that major TV movie type flaw. It is the holiday season, you know.

To everyone reading this -- have a happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your family and friends and if you are traveling, please be safe, on this, most everyone's favorite food holiday.

Acting: A strong talented multi-culti cast with a standout performance by Mercedes Ruehl.

Pets: A wonderful daschund named Marty (Jewish household) and a boxer named Gordo (Mexican household).

Visual Art: Lots of stereotypical decor and art.

Soundtrack: A little heavy handed but appropriate.

Titles: Good opening sequence to the tune of The Star Spangled Banner.

Theater Audience: It was crowded for a Tuesday afternoon and overwhelmingly Jewish. How do I know? The major guffaws occurred during the Jewish household scenes. (I do confess to adding to that noise level myself with many loud laughs.)

Sappy Factor: 3

Quirky Meter: 2

Tissue Usage: 0

Oscar Worthy: No

Nit Picking: There were some eyerolling stereotypes, particularly in the Vietnamese and Jewish households. The lighting and the smallness of the sets had a very TV movie of the Week feel.

Length: 110 minutes

LOBO HOWLS: 7