Burnt(film)

Burnt
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Wells
Screenplay by	Steven Knight
Story by	Michael Kalesniko
Produced by	Stacey Sher Erwin Stoff John Wells
Starring	Bradley Cooper Sienna Miller Omar Sy Daniel Brühl Riccardo Scamarcio Sam Keeley Alicia Vikander Matthew Rhys Lily James Uma Thurman Emma Thompson
Cinematography	Adriano Goldman
Edited by	Nick Moore
Music by	Rob Simonsen
Production companies	Shiny Penny Productions 3 Arts Entertainment Battle Mountain Films
Distributed by	The Weinstein Company
Release dates	October 22, 2015(2015-10-22)(New York City premiere) October 30, 2015(2015-10-30)(United States)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
Box office	$36.6 million

Burntis a 2015 Americancomedy-drama filmdirected byJohn Wellsand written bySteven Knight,from a story by Michael Kalesniko.The film stars anensemble castincludingBradley Cooper,Sienna Miller,Omar Sy,Daniel Brühl,Matthew Rhys,Riccardo Scamarcio,Alicia Vikander,Uma ThurmanandEmma Thompson.The film was released on October 30, 2015, byThe Weinstein Company.The film was not well received by critics and grossed $36.6 million.

Plot

Adam Jones was the chef at a high-classParisianrestaurant owned by his mentor Jean-Luc, until his drug use and temperamental behavior destroyed his career and the restaurant. In the aftermath, Adam went into self-imposed exile inNew Orleansby shucking a million oysters to sober up, planning to head toLondonto restart his career and attempt to earn a thirdMichelin star.

In London, Adam searches for old colleagues, beginning with his mentor's formermaître d'hôtel,Tony Balerdi, now a hotel manager of The Langham Hotel in London, under the ownership of the Balerdi family. Adam checks into one of The Langham's rooms then visits an old friend, Conti, and notes the talent of hissous-chefHelene, but she dislikes his arrogance and dismisses him immediately. A Paris colleague, Michel, whose restaurant Adam had sabotaged out of jealousy, tracks him down. After a brief fistfight, they talk and Michel forgives Adam then asks to work for him. Adam also visits a cutting-edge eatery run by Reece, with whom he has a long-standing rivalry, and the visit ends poorly. Adam's former drug dealer realizes he has returned to Europe and attempts to collect Adam's outstanding debt.

Adam convinces famed restaurant critic Simone to dine at Tony's hotel. Tony realizes that Adam set this up and is reluctant to let him cook, but his kitchen is in such poor condition it would result in Simone shutting his restaurant down. Seeing no other way, he allows Adam to cook. Simone's favorable review convinces Tony to renovate the hotel's kitchen and hire Adam as head chef permanently. He stipulates that Adam must submit to weekly drug tests with Tony's psychiatrist Dr. Rosshilde. Adam agrees to the tests, although he is uninterested in therapy and throws himself into preparations for the grand opening. Another old friend, Max, joins Adam's team after being released from prison. Helene rebuffs further job offers until Conti fires her and sends her to Adam's kitchen. Helene is irate about being fired, but Adam convinces her to work for him by tripling her salary.

Opening night is a disaster, and Adam furiously closes early, blaming Helene. He publicly humiliates her, escalating from verbal to physical aggression, and she quits. Tony convinces Helene to return with a doubled salary and some insight about Adam's behavior. Adam goes on a talk show that he previously turned down to drum up publicity for the restaurant. At his second opening, a restaurant critic gives a positive review, enraging Reece. Adam improves his attitude, but refuses Helene's request for time off for her daughter Lily's birthday. Later, he notices his kitchen acting in a strange manner. Helene reveals that her daughter is at the restaurant under Tony's supervision, since she did not want to spend her birthday at home. Adam is upset, but relents and bakes Lily a birthday cake, which impresses Helene.

With the restaurant's reputation established, Adam sets his sights on three Michelin stars, still avoiding his drug dealer, even after Tony offers to pay off his debt. Adam takes Helene to the reopening of Reece's restaurant. Adam and Reece are civil, but the night derails when Adam spots his ex-girlfriend Anne Marie, the daughter of Jean-Luc. Adam finds Anne Marie surprisingly forgiving after he abandoned her in Paris and missed her father's funeral. The encounter leaves Adam shaken and introspective about his failure in Paris. Early the next morning, Helene finds him at the fish market where they kiss in the alley behind The Langham on the way back to the restaurant. They are interrupted by the drug dealer's thugs, who take Adam away. He returns that night during dinner service beaten and bruised.

Kaitlin, the front of house host, advises Tony that two Michelin reviewers have arrived, and he cooks for them rather than going to the hospital. They send their meals back as it's too spicy, and Michel reveals he sabotaged the sauce with cayenne pepper as revenge for Adam's past cruelty before walking out. On the verge of a breakdown, Adam leaves the restaurant.

He wanders the city, eventually arriving at Reece's restaurant drunk. Once inside, he begins to break down emotionally. Reece soothes him, and they part on better terms the following morning. Adam attends a group therapy session, then returns to the hotel, where he learns that Anne Marie has paid off his debt. She gives him her father's knives and tells him that she approves of Helene. Tony and Helene find Adam in his hotel room, and Tony tells him that the two men they assumed were Michelin inspectors were actually just businessmen on a trip. Adam rejoices at getting a second chance and kisses Tony out of gratitude.

Adam admits his insecurities to Helene, and she comforts him by telling him that he needs to trust his crew. She tends to his wounds and they kiss, their relationship rekindled.

Adam returns to the kitchen to prepare for the Michelin inspectors' meals; when Tony asks him what they will do, Adam says that the whole kitchen will do it together as a team. As a result of increased teamwork in the kitchen and Adam's new attitude, the restaurant receives its third star. Adam later enjoys afamily mealwith the rest of the crew, which he had refused to do earlier.

Cast

• Bradley Cooperas Adam Jones, a disgraced, two star Michelin chef who sets his sights on redeeming himself and earning his third Michelin star
• Sienna Milleras Helene Sweeney, a chef recruited by Jones to work at his restaurant
• Omar Syas Michel, Jones's sous chef with a grudge against him
• Daniel Brühlas Tony Balerdi, owner of a two star Michelin restaurant and maitre'd, who has great affection for Jones
• Riccardo Scamarcioas Max, Jones's grillardin
• Sam Keeleyas David, a young chef Jones recruits for his restaurant
• Alicia Vikanderas Anne Marie, Jones's former girlfriend
• Matthew Rhysas Montgomery Reece, a three star Michelin chef and Jones's rival
• Uma Thurmanas Simone, a popular food critic and friend of Jones
• Emma Thompsonas Dr. Rosshilde, Jones's therapist
• Lily Jamesas Sara, David's girlfriend
• Sarah Greeneas Kaitlin, fine dining server of Balerdi's restaurant
• Henry Goodmanas Conti
• Stephen Campbell Mooreas Jack
• Lexie Benbow-Hart as Lily Sweeney, Helene's daughter
• Charlotte Hawkinsas TV Presenter

Jamie Dornanplayed the part of Leon Sweeney but his scenes were deleted.

Production

Development

In 2013,John Wellswas set to direct acooking comedyfilm, then titledChef,withBradley Coopersigned to star as a former Paris chef, Adam Jones.Sienna Millersigned as lead actress.

Omar Sy,Jamie Dornan,Emma Thompson, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander and Lily James were also set to star in the film.Dornan's appearance was later removed due to cuts and adjustments in the storyline and Lily James's role revealed to be a cameo.Dornan's scenes were added to the home release.

In July 2014, it was reported that the film's title had been changed fromCheftoAdam Jones,to avoid confusion withJon Favreau's filmChef.Uma Thurmanjoined the cast around this time.According toDeadline Hollywood,as of July 28, 2014, Weinstein was calling the filmUntitled John Wells project,until they could decide on a better title.On August 7, 2014,Matthew Rhyswas added to the cast, playing chef Jones's rival, Reece.In July 2015, it was announced that the film had been retitledBurnt.

The film was executive produced by celebrity chefGordon Ramsay.

Filming

Principal photographyon the film began July 23, 2014, inNew Orleans,Louisiana,filming for two days.Production then moved toLondonandWest London Film Studios.

Post-production

On October 2, 2014,Nick Moorewas hired for the film editing job.During editing of the film,Jamie Dornan's scenes were cut from the finished version.

Marketing

The first poster, with the new titleBurnt,was released on August 7, 2015.Cooper introduced a sneak peek of the film on theTodayshow on August 10, 2015.The Weinstein Company released the teaser trailer on August 14, 2015.On September 21, 2015, the first international trailer was released.On September 28, 2015, producers released the first full-length trailer for the film and on October 29, 2015, released a clip featuring Vikander and Cooper online.

Release

The film was scheduled to be released on October 2, 2015, but in July 2015, The Weinstein Company moved the release date to October 23, 2015.The plan then was to give the film alimited releaseon October 23, 2015, before awide releaseon October 30, 2015.However, they cancelled the limited release plan and immediately released the film nationwide, on October 30, 2015.

Reception

Box office

Burntgrossed $13.7 million in the United States, and $23 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $36.6 million, against a budget of $20 million.

The film opened on October 30, 2015, alongsideOur Brand Is CrisisandScouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse,was projected to gross $7–9 million from 3,003 theaters in its opening weekend.However, it only ended up grossing $5 million, finishing sixth at the box office, and marking the second straight underperforming opener for Cooper, followingAloha($9.7 million opening against its $37 million budget).In it second weekend the film made $2.9 million, finishing seventh.

Critical response

Burntreceived negative reviews from critics, who praised Cooper's performance but derided the script and storytelling. OnRotten Tomatoes,the film holds a rating of 28%, based on 159 reviews, with an average rating of 4.90/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Burntoffers a few spoonfuls of compelling culinary drama, but they're lost in a watery goulash dominated by an unsavory main character and overdone clichés. "OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 42 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.

Justin ChangofVarietypraised Cooper's performance but was critical of the script: "Steven Knight’s script pours on the acid but holds the depth, forcing its fine actors (including Sienna Miller and Daniel Bruhl) to function less as an ensemble than as a motley sort of intervention group."

External links

• BurntatIMDb
• BurntatBox Office Mojo