I’d much rather read than watch a movie, but Ken and I watched a DVD Saturday night that I absolutely loved! I’ve since learned that The Hundred-Foot Journey was based on a novel of the same title, so I quickly added the book to my mile-high TBR list.
Here’s how much I loved this movie: I also immediately ordered the DVD, and downloaded the soundtrack, which I’ve been listening to constantly ever since. (And loving!)
In trying to analyze why this movie captured my heart so deeply, these are the elements I came up with:
• Gorgeous setting in France, a place on my bucket list.
• Timeless quality…except for the appearance of a flip phone (and a short section set in modern-day Paris) this film could have been set in 1940, or 2040. It worked, regardless of the time period.
• Lovable characters who grew and changed believably from beginning to end.
• Charm. This film is loaded with it, from the lushly filmed bucolic scenes to beautiful costuming, expressive eyes, wonderfully fitting musical score, adorable banter, sweet romance. And the food! Oh, the food!
• Its message, which was anything but heavy-handed. This movie was a testament to the value of family, the treasure of traditions, the preciousness of memories, no matter how small. It also had much to say about the plague of racial prejudice even in its mildest forms. But the film managed to say it all organically through the story itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEO1TWeM5JU
Too often, movie trailers are far better than the movie itself, but I must say this is one that does not begin to do the movie justice! The film is so much more.
Did I mention I LOVED it? 😉
What is the last great movie you saw? And more importantly, what qualities about it made it great in your eyes?
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I loved it, too, Deb! But I didn’t analyze it to the degree that you did! I just knew I enjoyed it a lot. And, yes, for all the reasons you listed. I may have to go back and watch it again someday. I streamed it through On Demand on my cable, so a redo will have to wait 🙂
I want to watch it again (and again) too, Pam. For one thing, the heavy Indian (and even British) accents kept me from understanding every line exactly. I know I’m going to hear a lot I missed the first time!
It’s rare for me to find a movie that I really like a lot. But I’m always on the lookout for good ones. Thanks for recommending this one, Deb.
I’m the same way, Lynn. I think the last movie before this one that made me smile and sigh at the end (and want to watch it all over again) was Miss Potter, the story of Beatrix Potter, starring Renee Zellweger. I’m listening to the soundtrack of that one right now, and loving it too. The images of England’s Lake District in that film are just stunning! My sister has been there and said the movie does not exaggerate its beauty. 🙂
Deb, I loved this movie too, although I only gave it four stars because the ending felt too abrupt for me. I wanted a little bit more. But that was a minor complaint. Here’s the review I wrote after seeing it: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/movie-review-the-hundred-foot-journey/
Robin
That’s interesting, Robin, because I’ve been accused of WRITING abrupt endings in some of my novels. I’ve always liked making up my own endings…or epilogues, if you will. So maybe I carry that to my movie-watching and don’t mind. Thanks for posting the link to your review. I enjoyed reading it!
I loved the movie, too. We rarely see movies in theater but I got my husband to take me for my birthday back in September. And I loved it so much the book immediately when on my list, too! And then he bought me the dvd for Christmas. Not sure why I don’t have the soundtrack yet!
And we saw Enders Game on DVD recently and I am now going to have to read those books. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of them before. I really, really liked the development of the main character. We also saw Big Hero 6 last week and I was astounded at what a great movie it was.
Oh! We’ll have to put Enders Game and Big Hero 6 on our list. To be honest they don’t sound like MY kind of movies, but I know Ken will love both. I hadn’t heard of Big Hero 6 until we watched the Academy Awards last night. Thanks for the recommendations!
I wasnt sure this movie would be worth it, but your review makes it sound so lovely! I also had no idea that it was a book!!
Lovely is exactly the word for it, Alyssa! I’m a little nervous about reading the book now because I don’t want to spoil the charm of the movie. Some reviews I read of the novel say it’s different from the film. Funny, because usually I don’t want to watch the movie for fear it will spoil how much I enjoyed the book. 🙂
Thank you for the recommendation. It is so hard to know what movie is worth the time and money any more.
I agree, Shirley! And even some movies that could have been wonderful are spoiled by language, or one sleazy scene. I don’t remember even one curse word in this book (though don’t quote me on that…there may have been some mild language) and the romances were sweet and tender.
Wonderful! Thanks for this recommendation. I’ve downloaded the novel to read and have the movie in my Netflix queue! Bless you for sharing!
You’re gonna love it, Tammy! You’ll have to let me know what you think of the novel. The soundtrack is wonderful too! I know you love good music! 🙂
God’s Not Dead. I liked the story of how a freshman college student took on a challenge his atheist college professor forced on him because he refused to acknowledge publicly that God was dead. He stood by his beliefs even though it cost him dearly. In the end he won the respect of his class mates and won them over to believe that God’s Not Dead.
Oh, yes! We really liked that movie too, Shirley. It really made you think, and it also helped me see how to argue the cause of Christ more effectively (and how NOT to as well.)
I LOVED it, too! I loved that it was more than just about food or a restaurant, it was about love, family, friendship…so many things! Now I really want to read the book and hope that I get a little more to then ending.
I also loved the movie, “Unbroken”. I loved it so much I bought the book and read it. While it definitely reads less like a drama and more like a factual account (I know it’s a biography…but still hoped for it to read a little easier), I was still amazed at the story. It really made an impact on me.
Stacey, I saw Unbroken also. And was in the middle of reading the book when we saw the movie. (I haven’t gone back to the book yet, though I hope to some day…it was good.)
Deb, The Hundred-Foot Journey is one of my favorites, and for all the reasons you mentioned. The sweetness of it reminds me of Letters to Juliet, another favorite of mine.
Recently (as in two days ago), my friend Amanda and I saw McFarland, USA at the theater. Oh my goodness. That movie was such a happy movie, a great emotional experience, and a fabulous true story of overcoming great obstacles. I LOVED it so much, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy when it comes to BluRay. One of the best sports movies ever (right up there with When the Game Stands Tall), in my opinion. A must-see.
Blessings,
Andrea
Oh, yay! Thank you for the recommendation, Andrea! Ken and I saw the preview and thought that looked good. I’m SO glad to know it is good. We really liked When the Game Stands Tall, too. (Although Rudy is still one of my all-time favorite sports movies. And that one with Robert Duvall…can’t think of it right now. Oh! Hoosiers!)
I forgot about Letters to Juliet. I really liked that too. Another bucket list setting for me. 🙂
Oh, duh! Not Robert Duvall. It was Gene Hackman in Hoosiers. 🙂
You know, I’ve never seen the entire movie of Hoosiers. I’ve seen bits and pieces when it’s been on tv, but I’ve never rented it. I should remedy that soon.
I know what you mean about the bucket list settings! Such beauty in Journey and Letters.
Hope you and Ken enjoy McFarland, USA. My friend Amanda and I came out of the theater saying we wanted to go right back in and see it again. Not sure I could ever get tired of it.
Hi Deb!
You convinced me! I just ordered the book and DVD from Amazon. Of course, I’ll read the book first. 🙂
Love, Susan
Let me know how you like it, Susan! And you really should get the movie soundtrack to listen to WHILE you read the book. It captures the mood of the story so well. (I promise I’m not getting kickbacks from the producers! Haha!)
I wasn’t familiar with this one, so thanks for the recommendation, Deb! 🙂
I just know you’ll enjoy it, Patti Jo. I’m STILL thinking about it 2 days later!