This is an amusing visit behind the scenes of a four-star French restaurant in Dijon. The chef Louis Boyer (Eddie Mitchell the 60's French rocker) is a cantankerous prima donna and taskmaster who runs his a restaurant like a general. The new trainee Lauren (Jason Lee) is a talented American chef trying to escape his family's pizza joint in Brooklyn, much to his clinging family's dismay. It is the mentoring and friendship of these two men that really makes this fun: the American is resourceful and talented, the Frenchman is passionate and somewhat guarded after losing his wife years ago. There are some great scenes as the taxman (Michel Muller) inspecting the books finally breaks down when he can no longer bear not being offered any of the fantastic dishes that he sees. There is a great fight scene between Louis and the fishmonger after Louis slaps him with the fish during the morning market run. Lawren's quick fists save the day and last but not least there is the lovely daughter Gabrielle (Irene Jacob)!

Reviewed by Eric Michel, FilmCities

Country: France Year: 1998 Running Time: 92 Min. Cast Jason Lee, Eddy Mitchell, Irène Jacob Producer: Regine Konickier Editor: Monica Coleman Cinematographer: Jean-Marie Dreujou Screenwriter: Pitoun