Known for its fine cuisine Two Many Chefs is set in the Spanish city of Bilbao, Basque Country. Bilbao is one of the few Spanish cities that boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants.
Bilbao is also thought to have been the birthplace of the Txoko, a closed gastronomical society, in which by invitation-only, groups come together to cook, eat, and drink. Traditional dishes are seafood based, and gastronomical standards high. With this background in mind, it is little wonder that the plot centred around obtaining the prized cream of sea urchin recipe of Juan (Karra Elejalde), father of Mikel (Enric Auquer).
Directed by Joaquín Mazón, with screenplay by Joaquín Oristrell, Mikel is attempting to gain his third Michelin star and the critic that is due to attend his restaurant has fond memories of consuming his father’s cream of sea urchin, a dish that Mikel does not know how to make. Juan disappeared from family life over thirty years prior, and by coincidence, the two meet again. Mikel is keen to obtain the recipe from his father, despite the uncomfortable history between them.
When he disappeared, Mikel, his brother Ander (Lander Otaola), and their mum Rosa (Juan’s wife, Maribel Salas) all thought Juan was dead, lost after a disastrous incident when the King attended the family restaurant thirty years prior. However, it turns out that this is not the case. As the plot unfolds, the film uses memory flashbacks of Juan and Mikel to uncover the background and emotional unrest in the family.
Although Juan is haunted in some ways by the past, he has amnesia and is stuck in the past, so in many ways, unaware. Juan still believes Mikel is only seven years old. His mental condition also makes him fiercely protective of his recipes, which he does not want stolen by the Catalans. Elejalde does a convincing job of demonstrating the constant discord between living in the past, and at times being totally present.
The character of Mikel is the most emotionally demanding, and Anquer is both hilarious and serious in his role. He is at times distressed, desperately ambitious, and gently in love, as he is forced to enter into a real emotional interaction with Nagore (Megan Montaner), the doctor studying his father’s condition. It is clear that up until this point Anquer’s life is hollow, filled with pleasing the bourgeois at work, and speaking to his virtual assistant for company at home.
The film explores the emotions of unresolved guilt, family grief, sibling relationships, the father and son relationship, career, ambition, trust, and love. These strongly reflective serious themes are offset by the consistent humour throughout. Overall, an enjoyable, unique, and relaxing film.
Two Many Chefs is currently showing as part of the HSBC Spanish Film Festival.
Click here for screening times and to book tickets.
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