Bitter Feast DVD Movie Review

Bitter Feast DVD Movie Review
Bitter Feast, directed by Joe Maggio. Starring James LeGros, Joshua Leonard. Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson
By:stacilayne
Updated: 01-29-2011
 
Imagine celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as a has-been relegated to second-banana status co-hosting a cheesy show alongside a wisecracking "personality", going off the rails and becoming an expert on long-pig recipes. Think that, with just a pinch of the classic revenge-comedy Theater of Blood (1971) added, and you have a good idea of what Bitter Feast is all about.
 
James LeGros plays Peter Gray, a fussy foodie who, bristling against his more popular co-host (Amy Siemetz, nicely channeling Kathy Lee), finds himself out of a job after complaining to the show's producer about her. Adding insult to injury, Gray's gourmet and decidedly un-burnt offerings are less-than well-received by hip, young and super-snarky blogger JT Franks (Joshua Leonard), leaving the cocky cook with a craving for payback… and he gets it.
 
LeGros is excellent as the haughty hash-slinger, and at first he gets to relish some particularly arch and funny dialogue moments and biting repartee. Even in a solo scene, in which he disarticulates and cooks a whole chicken, he commands and captivates.
 
The cinematography, suspense, and sets all work in harmony when the focus is on our hungry "hero"… but after he kidnaps the blogger — takes him to a remote location for torturous purposes (basically using an inventive series of "Top Chef" style challenges), plus brings the blogger's girlfriend into the mix and deals with some traumatic childhood issues via flashback device — things go irretrievably downhill.
 
Bitter Feast is like a meal that begins with a tasty, light appetizer, but winds up with a too-heavy dessert that makes you wish you hadn't taken that last bite.
 
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson
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