Beth Fish Reads: Weekend Cooking: Cooking with Stella (film)

01 September 2012

Weekend Cooking: Cooking with Stella (film)

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, beer, wine, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. More information at the welcome post.

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The other night I was looking around NetFlix for something light to watch and stumbled across a Canadian indie film called Cooking with Stella from Deepa Mehta and Dilip Mehta.

When Michael and Maya move from Ottawa to New Delhi so Maya can take a job at the Canadian High Commission, the diplomatic service hires Stella as their cook and general housekeeper. Stella has been cooking for High Commission families for 30 years and is used to dealing with the woman of the house. She is a bit taken aback when she learns that Michael will be a stay-at-home dad.

What's even more surprising to Stella is that Michael is a chef and wants her to teach him everything there is to know about Indian cooking so he can either become a teacher or open his own Indian fusion restaurant. Stella has her own ideas of how to be a successful employee of Western diplomats, and befriending her boss is putting a damper on her sideline businesses.

Cooking with Stella, starring Seema Biswas, Don McKellar, and Lisa Ray, is meant to be kind of wacky and a bit of fun. I absolutely enjoyed the food and cooking scenes, but Stella's antics and her attitude about the Canadians verged on the stereotypical. Because the acting is decent and some of the scenery shots are lovely, this is not the worst film ever made, but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it.

25 comments:

Too Fond, 9/1/12, 6:06 AM: I haven't heard of this film, but it reminds me that I have a cooking movie waiting for me to watch it as well--I'd forgotten all about it. I think it has Catherine Zeta-Jones in it.
Uniflame, 9/1/12, 6:28 AM: I have never heard of this movie before. However, I wouldn't mind watching something like this when looking for some light entertainment.
caite, 9/1/12, 6:36 AM: I never heard of this one either, but it sounds sort of cute.
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate, 9/1/12, 7:11 AM: I have never heard of this movie but the cooking aspect sounds like good viewing. I love finding quirky, independent movies to watch. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ The Key to the Gate
jama, 9/1/12, 7:11 AM: Will add this to my movie list. Thanks for the candid review!
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook, 9/1/12, 7:27 AM: I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds cute and probably better on the small screen than in the theater.
bermudaonion, 9/1/12, 7:36 AM: It sounds cute but I probably won't see it. If I don't see a movie in the theater, I generally don't see it.
Patty, 9/1/12, 8:18 AM: This comment has been removed by the author.
Patty, 9/1/12, 8:24 AM: thanks for sharing this film - had not heard of it, but could be ideal for light entertainment
Peggy Ann, 9/1/12, 8:58 AM: Sounds funny!
(Diane) bookchickdi, 9/1/12, 9:19 AM: I enjoy your quick movie reviews. I admire your ability to find these interesting, obscure movies. You have inspired me to better utilize my Netflix account. Enjoy the holiday weekend.
Gilion at Rose City Reader, 9/1/12, 12:06 PM: Too bad the movie didn't live up to its potential. The premise sounds like a lot of fun.

I haven't participated in a while, but finally read a food book. It is nice to be back.
Heidenkind, 9/1/12, 2:22 PM: The trailer looks kind of... meh.
Carole, 9/1/12, 4:34 PM: Another film on my list of films I mean to watch but won't get around to! Have a great week.

PS This week's food on Friday is on prawns and shrimp
Heather S-G, 9/1/12, 4:34 PM: You always introduce me to new foodie films (and I thought I'd hunted them all down...). Adding this to the list for a possible future food 'n flix choice. Thanks! =)
Cecelia, 9/1/12, 10:41 PM: I like the sound of the food scenes, but the 'antics' would probably annoy me, so I may give this film a pass.
Chinoiseries, 9/2/12, 4:52 AM: Hilarous, I loved the trailer! This does sound like a movie I'd enjoy a lot Indian food \o/
Leslie (Under My Apple Tree), 9/2/12, 11:22 AM: Never heard of it either. I don't usually rent a film unless someone recommends it to me.
Fay, 9/2/12, 12:45 PM: Think I'll pass. Thanks for the heads up.
Les, 9/2/12, 1:41 PM: I'm always eager to watch foodie films, so in spite of your lack of enthusiasm for Cooking with Stella, I'm going to add it to my Netflix queue. While I'm there, I may have to add No Reservations (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Tortilla Soup (Hector Elizondo) and Spanglish (Adam Sandler). I've watched all three of these, but it's been a while.
Sharon Galligar Chance, 9/2/12, 2:06 PM: This sounds like a fun movie that I could even talk hubby into watching! He's a real foodie! P.S. Movies, Music and More is me! It's a new blog I've started - I'd love it if you came by to check it out!
Julie P., 9/2/12, 6:50 PM: Totally new to me!
Nan, 9/2/12, 10:37 PM: To watch or not to watch? I've put it in my queue so will try it. Thanks.
Daryl, 9/3/12, 10:09 AM: late to the party ... going to check this movie out, thanks
Zibilee, 9/3/12, 12:04 PM: While I do love foodie books and movies, I think I might just give this one a pass.