France, 1789, just before the Revolution. With the help of a mysterious young woman, a chef who has been sacked by his master finds the strength to free himself from his position as a servant and opens the first-ever restaurant in France.
France - 1789 and, revolution is brewing. But aristocrats confident of their inborn right to rule continue to indulge themselves in fantasies of inherent superiority and of their privileged lives’ unassailability. One such is the Duke of Chamfort (Benjamin Lavernhe), who dismisses his talented cook, Pierre Manceron (Grégory Gadebois), when he refuses to apologize for presenting a dish whose ingredients displease one of the Duke’s guests. Manceron leaves his culinary life behind for a life as keeper of a small wayfarers’ inn with his son, Benjamin (Lorenzo Lefèbvre).
Into this backwater comes the mysterious Louise (Isabelle Carré), determined to apprentice herself to Manceron. Louise suggests, and Benjamin agrees, that Manceron could entice the Duke to ask him back by offering delicious meals to passing travellers.
‘Delicious’ is as good as its title’s promise: leaving aside the exquisite cinematography of haute cuisine, the movie is filled with dangers overt and covert, tensions sexual and political, swift turns of events, and humour. Between keeping secrets, creating serious mishaps, and cooking up marvellous foods and vengeance plots, the film has never a dull moment.
Our thanks to SND for this screening.
