Hot Take: If only Burnt‘s plot was as beautiful as the gorgeously plated food shown throughout the film. It manages to take a fairly simple, often recycled movie recipe and screw it up. At the very least Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller should have worked (it worked in American Sniper) but even that pairing wasn’t tasty. Check please!
Burnt might help you overcome a loss of appetite or insomnia but it is not likely to entertain. Even with Bradley Cooper as chef Adam Jones who is trying to put his life back together after self-destructing and burning everything and everyone around him, the film tries to do so little yet can’t even accomplish that. In addition to Cooper, there’s the usually delightful Sienna Miller who is unremarkable as Jones’ chosen prodigy.
Nothing develops in Burnt. By the time we meet chef Jones, he’s already recovered from his self-destruction and seeking redemption. There’s almost no twists and turns the rest of the way. Very little happens and what does happen won’t surprise you. It’s about as exciting as watching water boil.
“Spoiler Free” Pros
- Foodie Visuals
The various shots of food being prepared and plated are mouth watering. The images are the sexiest thing about the film. - Cooper Is Believable
Even though the movie doesn’t, Cooper serves up a solid performance as chef Jones.
“Spoiler Free” Cons
- Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
How could a movie so visually pleasing and so well acted be so boring? At least there’s so much fine china thrown around, the noise from the broken dishes will keep you from napping too long. - While We’re on the Subject of Broken Dishes…
If Burnt is to be believed, if you spend any amount of time in fine dining establishments, at some point you should hear dishes being smashed and the head chef yelling at someone. Or maybe someone involved with the script spent too much time watching Hell’s Kitchen. - Formulaic Film Screws Up “The Kid”
Burnt should have consulted Jerry Maguire before serving up their version. Maybe she would have been more interesting or cute.