Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cultures clash in the kitchen in warm family drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Hundred-Foot Journey
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say the movie presents a warm family drama featuring a clash of cultures through cooking, filled with relatable situations and humor. While some viewers found it cheesy or clichéd, others appreciated its deeper messages about acceptance and friendship, as well as the beautiful cinematography and food showcased throughout the film.
- cultural clash
- family drama
- relatable humor
- acceptance message
- beautiful cinematography
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After unrest drives them away from their native India to London, Hassan (Manish Dayal) and his family take to the road and find themselves stranded when their brakes fail in a small French town. Hassan's father decides it's just the spot to open an Indian restaurant. Directly across the street, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) runs another restaurant, one with a long, proud tradition of fine French dining -- and possessed of a famed Michelin star. She's not happy with her new neighbors and declares war on their rival eatery. Meanwhile, Hassan starts to fall for Marguerite, the sous chef in Mallory's kitchen, who teaches him the basics of French cuisine.
Is It Any Good?
Like beef bourguignon, one of the many dishes filmed so delectably in this production, THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY is a crowd-pleasing classic. The family story, told with empathy and love here, is its base; the food scenes that are odes to the art of cooking, framed through a cross-cultural prism, are its mea; and the gorgeous French countryside and melodic Indian music are its garnish. It's a delight to watch, especially because of the cast.
But, also just like beef bourguignon, it's not particularly inventive, even if the story centers around a young man's ingenuity in the kitchen. You know what you're getting. A true master chef -- as director Lasse Hallstrom has revealed himself to be in many previous turns at the helm -- would take a classic and turn it into something transcendent, adding elements that transform, rather than just substituting one ingredient (the location, perhaps) for another and hoping it feels different. Still, the film is big-hearted and filling enough -- so filling that it runs too long, actually -- to be a pleasant enough cinematic meal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bias. What does Madame Mallory think about Hassan and his family when she first meets them? Why? How do her opinions change?
Why are movies about food and cooking so appealing? How does this one compare to others you've seen?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 8, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : December 2, 2014
- Cast : Helen Mirren , Charlotte Le Bon , Manish Dayal , Om Puri
- Director : Lasse Hallstrom
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Cooking
- Run time : 122 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, some violence, language and brief sensuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate