Price: $17.05 - $8.27
(as of Nov 02, 2024 02:44:24 UTC – Details)
At first glance, What’s Cooking? looks like it was dreamed up by some politically correct screenwriting committee: a series of overlapping stories that intercut among four families (one Hispanic, one Vietnamese, one African American, one Jewish) all preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. But what could be toothless and smarmy is made gripping and genuinely affecting by a mixture of observant writing, fluid direction, and a truly superb ensemble of actors, including Mercedes Ruehl, Alfre Woodard, Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgewick, Dennis Haysbert, and a host of less well known but just as capable others. The script is a marvel of orchestration: small annoyances blossom into fierce conflicts, secrets are deftly revealed, and sanctimoniousness is subtly punctured. The acute but sympathetic portrait of family stress and tension is layered with quiet observations about race and class, as well as the capacity for tolerance and forgiveness. It’s recently become a cliché to have characters express themselves through food (examples include Soul Food, Big Night, and Eat Drink Man Woman), but What’s Cooking? turns food into a witty exploration of culture as everyone prepares their turkeys in entertainingly different ways–this is not a movie to watch on an empty stomach. Warm without false sentiment, What’s Cooking? is deeply enjoyable. –Bret Fetzer
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
MPAA rating : PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Product Dimensions : 7.75 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 0.01 ounces
Director : Gurinder Chadha
Media Format : NTSC, Closed-captioned, Color, Widescreen, DVD
Run time : 1 hour and 49 minutes
Release date : November 6, 2001
Actors : Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Mercedes Ruehl, Victor Rivers, Douglas Spain
Studio : Lions Gate
ASIN : B000059HAU
Writers : Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges
Number of discs : 1
Cap9535 –
Great movie!
Great movie. New tradition. I will watch every year. Delivered promptly as promised in excellent condition.
So Delicious! –
Nice Holiday Movie
This was shown at Thanksgiving to our 55+ residents. It’s a feel good movie and enjoyed by folks of all ethnic groups. Very suitable at the times when families get together to prove that, despite diversity, many of us experience the same day-to-day situations.
Etruria –
A look at the “American” family
This wonderful movie by Gurinder Chadha, the British-Indian director of “Bend It Like Beckham,” tells the story of 4 Los Angeles families and their take on Thanksgiving celebrations. These African-American, Latino, Jewish, and Vietnamese families seem very different but their stories are connected by their relationships and hardships with eachother and their identity as Americans. Chadha also weaves in many controversial issues such as lesbianism, interracial romance, gun violence, multiculturalism and assimilation against a visual feast of traditional and ethnic foods.This film, like all Chadha’s films, is a masterpiece. She has the ability to address very controversial and complicated issues while maintaining an up-beat pace. Her films are also visually stunning with beautiful and authentic cultural elements. Chadha really understands and respects diverse cultures. I highly reccommend her first film “Bhaji on the Beach” and keep a look out for the up-comming film “The Mistress of Spices” directed by Chadha’s husband based on the book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. This will star the Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai who is in Chadha’s film “Bride and Prejudice,” another great film to see!
Passion Flower –
Its a movie family can watch children 13 & up my opinion
Political issues but that’s in daily life in itself.
Roz –
Rent or Buy this Film BEFORE this Thanksgiving!
We purchased this movie a long time ago and still watch it nearly every year before Thanksgiving. It’s serious, funny, thought-provoking and human, without being a caricature. I have found that it inspires valuable, (calm!) conversations about cultural differences, racial assumptions, interpersonal relationships, and consequences of choices made by normal people in familiar situations. Viewers may enjoy discovering how much certain everyday items have changed–the video store, the cell phones—but how many things remain the same, like misunderstood teens, holiday-based tensions among family members, hidden reasons for attitudes and behaviors. It’s also fun to catch familiar actors in unexpected roles!
“axegal” –
Fan-freakin-tastic!!
There are indie films,and then there are stay-with-you always amazing indie films. The cast is only the icing to a tale weaved so subtly the ending would blow you away (well, not to give it away).Like the culinary theme, which also left me hungry, this is one film which will whet your appetite for the acutely accurate portrayal of the immigrant society in America. I know as an Asian I was stunned by the director’s resounding voice in her unflinching representation of that community. And the range of emotions it will evoke will leave you laughing, crying, thinking…just from one scene to another. I also appreciate the really uncheesy, un-gratituous lesbian story-line (but of course a lady director would know better!)So it’s a keeper. Buy it so you can share it with people you love and so you can watch it again.
Helen E. T. Smith –
Good Movie and funny
Saw this movie about 17 years ago. Loved it. Could never figure out the title of the movie. It was on tv a few nights ago but missed most of it But I got that title.
justjack –
great holiday movie
i had the pleasure of seeing this movie when it was out. in fact, saw it twice. so glad to get this, as i will have it on as i prepare my thanksgiving dinner. i prepare different things days ahead, so i can have this movie on several times. never get tired of this movie! this movie shows that we are so much more alike then we are different. if more people saw this movie, we would be living in a much better society. this is a great watch for the whole family. you won’t be dissapointed.
vwgolf –
Even though its a Region 1 USA import, it plays fine on my computer. I Love anything by Gurinder Chadna.