the robert downey jr film guide

‹‹ prev • home • next ››

Chef (2014)

Tags: Minimal Screentime, Career Trajectory: Superstar, Middlers, Independent, Comedy, Fails the Bechdel Test, On DVD in Region 1, On DVD in Region 2, On DVD in Region 4, On Blu-Ray, Rated R

Summary

After losing his restaurant job, a chef starts a food truck business and tries to reunite his estranged family.

Director

Jon Favreau

Downey Factor

Low, he’s only in one scene

Character

Marvin, the eccentric ex-husband of the main character’s wife

Looks

Normal, nothing extraordinary

Performance

Amusing and off-beat

Love & Sex

Innuendo only

Dies, Gay or Villain

Nope

Cast

Jon Favreau, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, Bobby Cannavale, Amy Sedaris, Oliver Platt

Connection

Jon Favreau in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming and John Slattery — Iron Man 2, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and John Slattery — Iron Man 2, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame.

Time & Place

Present day Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans and more

Gossip

Robert Downey Jr designed limited edition posters for the SXSW premiere of the film.

Availability

Released in theaters May 9, 2014. Now on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1, 2 and 4.

Hot Link

Official Site
Official Twitter
Official Facebook
Official Instagram

Rotten Tomatoes

87% Fresh | 111 reviews

Critical View

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: The movie’s no one’s idea of an independent — OK, maybe a studio executive’s idea — but it’s funny and heartfelt, and it enjoys the sound of people talking almost as much as the idea of people cooking.

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: With this film, Favreau’s taking a break from being a blockbuster machine. His alter ego protagonist’s yearning to "go indie" feels very much like Favreau’s own interest in getting back to his Swingers-era roots and interests.

Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: Robert Downey Jr. [makes] every second of his brief time on screen count, as always.

2 Reasons to See It

1. You love food porn.
2. It strikes the perfect balance of sweet and funny.

Overall

This is a surprisingly enjoyable movie but only has about three minutes of Robert Downey Jr in it.

If You Liked It

You might also like Game Six (2005), Home for the Holidays (1995), Top Chef

Photos

Video