A Formalistic Approach of the film The Hundred-Foot Journey

Kyle S. Saile

In the movie “The Hundred Foot Journey” by Lasse Hallstrom. Hundred-Foot Journey is

a film adoption by of the novel written by Richard C. Morais. The movie was all about how the

hundred-foot distance between a new Indian restaurant and a traditional French on represent the

gulf between different cultures and desires. It focuses on the rivalry and resolution of the two

restaurants and is based in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, France. The movie is narrated by Hassan

Kadam, the protagonist of the movie, who is born and raised in his family’s Indian restaurant in

Mumbai and it encompasses his journey from child to world-renowned chef. The family of

talented cook, Hassan Kadam, their entire family works together in their open air eatery in

Mumbai. In his role, Hassan consider himself as a cook and not a chef for the reason he was

never professionally trained. They experience personal tragedy, which her mother died as a result

of political strife within India, forcing them to flee their home country. The Kadams family

arrive at the France. Once there, a chance auto accident and the kindness of women, Marguerite,

in the village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, France, it inspire Papa Kadam to set up a Indian

restaurant there. Unfortunately, the problem is across the road from the Kadams new home

which is one hundred feet away, is one of the prestigious French restaurants, the one who runs

the restaurant is Madame Mallory and it is where Marguerite work as sous-chef. At first the two

establish to go to war, Papa’s resolve is strengthened as he believes their style of food is not only

different than the French, but also better in their bold flavors, something he wants to show the

locals. Madame Mallory, Le Saule Pleureur’s properietress, took over its running following the

death of his husband. The restaurant is now her entire life, and she was waited close to thirty
years for it to receive its second Michelin-star, so far without success. Madame Mallory does not

take too kindly to her new neighbours, not only as potential competition, but in the Kadams’,

most specifically Papa’s. An initial action by Madame Mallory to make sure Maison Mumbai,

the Kadams’ restaurant, doesn’t succeed, leads to an all-out war between her and Papa. But a

potential bridge emerges between the two restaurants with the budding friendship and possible

romance between Hassan and Marguerite. Beyond that friendship and romance, Hassan believes,

to survive, they have to meld their bold flavours to local ingredients and techniques, he who

wants to learn the art of French cooking from Marguerite. A singular action in that war results in

what could be a fundamental shift between all players at Le Saule Pleureur and Maison Mumbai.

The result rivalry eventually escalates in personal intensity until it goes too far. In response,

there is a bridging of sides initiated by Hassan, Marguerite and Madame Mallory herself, both

professional and personal, that encourages and understanding that will change both sides forever.

The themes of the movie include hard work, family, dreams, and passion of cooking.

Hassan is a gifted person, in terms of cooking. He possesses all the potential to become a great

chef .Hundred-Foot Journey tends to be more predictable when it comes to presenting its themes.

The plot twist of the story was not only revolve to Hassan, but all also to Om Puri (Hassan’s

Father) and Madame Mallory. The film is all about the food and life.

To sum it all the film was predictable what will going to happen. The film with three-act

structure. The characters and the settings slowly develop. But this film also teaches us to become

better person. Like what Hassan said “if you can’t defeat them join them” this line want us to tell

in order to become stronger we need to adapt the others environment.