In Cinemas today: 13th October 2022
(Reviewed by John Glennie)
A wonderful movie from Denmark, set in a restaurant in Copenhagen. Carsten (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Jamie Lannister in Game Of Thrones) and Maggie (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal) meet while Carsten is catering for a party. She praises his food then says that he should have his own restaurant.
Jump to now, and he is obsessed with being awarded the highest possible accolade – a Michelin star. Maggie is his best critic and adviser. The pair seem to have a wonderful working relationship as well as juggling parenthood with their two lovely children, Chloe and August. However, Maggie is shocked when she discovers a letter left for Carsten saying that she is seeing ssomeone else. She desperately tried to find out who is sending the letters and hides them from her husband.
The movie revolves around the restaurant and the elusive star. It ramps up when they receive a message that there is a solo diner in the restaurant – a sure sign of the Michelin critic. By the time Carsten and Maggie arrive the elusive diner has already left. Carsten inquires about any comments the staff may have received or any meals that weren’t fully consumed. When they say he didn’t eat the oyster dish, Carsten asks for one to be served to him – then fireworks start when the accompanying sauce was rancid, resulting in the sacking of his other main chef.
Maggie tries to find the solo diner at other restaurants but unsuccessfully. Another of their chefs, Frederik (Charlie Gustafsson) tells Maggie that he thinks he knows the identity of the critic. Now this is where it gets interesting as he bribes her before he will provide the information. I will leave the plot there so as not to ruin anything.
The movie has a bit of everything to offer the viewer – drama, intrigue, some comedy, and the food looks amazing! It also shows how such an obsession can affect family life, when he is preparing food for the family and guests. Carsten is stunned when young Chloe tells him he loves his food more than them.
It is definitely a film worth seeing!
A Taste of Hunger is now screening at Palace Nova and Palace Prospect.
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