Chef's Special

2008
6.1| 1h51m| en
Details

Maxi thinks his life is perfect. He is a famous cook who owns a successful restaurant in Chueca and is living his life as a gay man without much complex. But when his son Edu and his daughter Alba appear, and a new attractive neighbor comes along, it will have a strong effect on his life resulting in his values being challenged for ever.

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Reviews

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?
Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Married Baby Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?
Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
meaninglessbark According to the back-of-the-box this film was a big hit in Spain. That's hard to believe as there are a lot of great films made in Spain and Chef's Special is the sort of pointless nonsense one usually finds in sitcoms on prime time TV.The plot...I'm not going to bother mentioning the plot other than the unbelievable romantic aspect of the story which involves a seemingly grounded former football star falling for a chef who is a complete buffoon.At best Chef's Special could be described as a farce (and that would be a very generous description) but it's really little more than cliché ridden slapstick full of awful characters. If you're looking for wacky gay comedy skip Chef's Special and watch The Birdcage again.
leplatypus I hesitated between "4" and "7" as the movie isn't really bad but also not very excellent either. In regards to the homophobic conservatism that exists actually, it's good to have a light movie that involves gays. On the other hand, the movie is really heavy as the funny lines are crude, full of clichés. In fact, the movie depicts a bit gays like a special gender and maybe like fragile people who were expected to hide. I don't think it's fair. Beyond this, i don't really care about gays: they can do whatever they like but i never understood the need to have gay movies shelves in shops. What interests me is a good story and a good story involves every one.Another problem is that the movie runs after too much themes: it can be a movie about restaurant, but also a romance or about single parenthood. If the cast and production is top, finally, i felt like watching a sitcom and that's not the definition of a movie!
jotix100 Maxi, the gay owner and chef of Xantarelle, a Madrid restaurant, is a man in search of the ultimate accolade that is given to places worth of a rating by the important Michelin Guide. Even though he is a talented cook, the cost for keeping such a high regarded eatery has taken its toll on him. When he is summoned to the hospital where his former wife is dying, he has to deal with another problem: he must face reality and take care of his son Edu, and his daughter Alba.Adding to Maxi's complications, he has fallen for a former soccer star, now a television commentator, Horacio, who has moved into the apartment across the hall from him. Alex, the female maitre'd has also set her eyes into winning Horatio's heart. Unfortunately, she has not a chance because Horacio is secretly in love with Maxi. Complications in their lives, and getting used to having the children around, play heavily into the new life he finds with his newly found family.Nacho G. Velilla, a notable producer in his native Spain, is making his directorial debut in this fast paced and often funny comedy, which he helped write. The main theme in the film takes a stand against homophobia in the person of a macho ex-soccer star who has the courage to come out to a wide audience in his sports program. The problems of raising what is considered a normal family is also another of the themes the film touches on. The best thing is the pacing Mr. Velilla gave the film, which turns out to be its best asset.Javier Camera is Maxi, the chef, a high energy individual who has no problem accepting his sexual orientation. Lola Duenas appears as the manager of the restaurant. Chilean Benjamin Vicuna makes us believe he is an Argentine former football star. The excellent Chus Lampreave shows up toward the end of the picture. She is a treasure in whatever role she is asked to play. It is the viewer's loss not to see more of this wonderful actress.
heszyfilm First, I should say that the movie definitely had some funny, enjoyable scenes. However, the movie was laden with way too many derogatory gay jokes. I was uncomfortable hearing so many bigoted, insulting, ignorant jokes. Many in the audience I was in laughed, but I squirmed at every "joke." Even in the movie's context of perhaps mocking homophobes, it was not necessary to have some many. Could you imagine a movie about African-Americans full of white characters spouting out a constant barrage of jokes about fried chicken and bananas and athletic prowess? And was it necessary for the main character to be such an effeminate stereotype? As for the plot, the director's soap opera experience was obvious; the plot had several wrenching shifts from light humor to attempts at deep seriousness. If you want to see good Spanish humor without the stereotyping and gay-bashing "jokes," I'd suggest Almodovar's many excellent comedies.