It
was just a couple of weeks ago. We were
on a work trip for him, a welcome respite from the hectic
end-of-the-school-year chaos for me. I
could breathe again, if only for a few days.
“So,
what do you want to do?” he asked that morning. I cringed inwardly. Visions of sleeping the day away in a hotel
bed were not in the cards for me. I
wanted to bask in the peace of not having to fill my day with tasks until I had
to run children around all evening. He
wanted to walk, to sightsee, to DO. I
relented – the day would be beautiful, and I’d never been to this city before.
We
walked the streets, took a trolley to some sights, went to a museum. Ending up at a small bar, we chatted about
the evening. “What now?” he wanted to
know.
“Um,
give me a minute,” I replied. We only
had the rest of this day together, precious hours before his work took priority
again. His unease with downtime, a
tendency to fill the space with ANYTHING often left me with few options other than
just following him around. I wanted to
choose wisely, deliberately.
“Why
don’t we go to the movies?” It’s always my
dream to go to the movies, to see something good that makes me think, laugh, and
cry. I might have small dreams.
There
was a movie theater by our hotel, and it was no surprise to me that there
wasn’t much we could agree on seeing.
The latest superhero iteration was only mildly appealing; the inane college
humor flick didn’t really look all that funny.
The action thriller was sure to be a bore. I was holding out for the one that caught my eye at the start: Chef.
I
rolled my eyes only slightly when he claimed not to have heard of it. It was an indie release, sure to be under his
radar, and starred Jon Favreau, who he remembered only when I mentioned Swingers. But I knew it would be good.
And
it was. Chef follows a rising chef through a simple story. We watch him lose his job, gain a food truck,
strengthen the bond with his son, and ultimately live a life filled with love
and fulfillment. The events of his fall
and rise were hilarious, relatable, and touching. The relationships between characters were
refreshing, and a well-known cast made the movie that much more enjoyable.
Through
it all, it had drool-worthy food scenes that rivaled any Food Network
episode. A grilled-cheese making scene
even caused my husband to wonder if he could replicate at home the
deliciousness that he saw on the screen.
We
both loved Chef and agreed it was
something our kids would also love. We
talked about it over dinner at a hot pot restaurant, and laughed as the noodles slipped between our chopsticks and we forgot about
the piece of beef languishing in the boiling broth between us on the table.
We
walked back to the hotel, happy to have the evening to ourselves before the busyness
of the week began. I was glad that I
had convinced him to try something new; he was pleasantly surprised that he
enjoyed it as much as he did. For an odd
couple like us with such disparate interests and personalities, Chef was a great choice. For that, it earned a place in my heart as
one of my favorites.
*Note: This is not an official review of the movie Chef. I just really liked the movie and you should go see it. I was not compensated in any way for this post. Although that would be awesome.
*Note: This is not an official review of the movie Chef. I just really liked the movie and you should go see it. I was not compensated in any way for this post. Although that would be awesome.
*******
This post inspired by:
Mama Kat's Writing Workshop
Prompt #3: Tell us about
the last movie you saw… do you recommend it?
My husband and I often want to do the exact opposite thing too. Also, a day in a hotel sounds lovely. But, I'm glad you both liked the movie! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! I ended up not getting my day in the hotel this trip, but it was still a much needed break. It's nice to know my husband and I aren't the only odd couple around, too. Thanks. :)
DeleteFinding a movie the Hub and i agree on is a rare thing, indeed. I've wanted to see this one - not sure if he'll bite, but the next date night is likely to coincide with my birthday, so I'm pulling out my trump card!
ReplyDeleteI just know you'll like this movie! As for the Hub, it is sort of a "bro" movie. Which is why I think my husband enjoyed it as much as he did.
DeleteThis movie is playing at our town theater, and like your husband, I have never heard of it. But now I will walk down to see it for sure. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes! Go see it! Take someone along and share the love. And then go out and have a fabulous meal. xo
DeleteWell that sounds like a nice story - now I want to see the movie. And be hungry during it.
ReplyDeleteI think we do have a nice overlap of movies we'll both watch, but TV shows? Just Food Network and a few comedies!
Food Network is not the worst thing you could share an interest in. I could spend a whole Saturday cruising thorough cooking shows. My husband? Eh, not so much.
DeleteRight, I need to watch this!! Sounds like you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteI think you will love it. It really is a fun, feel-good movie. Plus at the core is everyone's favorite pastime - eating! xo
DeletePat and I can never agree on a movie! I can't remember the last time I sat through one with him. Sounds like a lovely date night!
ReplyDeleteIt really was - thank you! Keith and I only agree on a movie when he agrees to see what I want to see. :)
DeleteJohn and I agree on movies often, it's one of the reasons I married him. He likes Chick-flicks, he hates camping as much as I do and he likes as much 70's music as I do.
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to see this movie and I'm so glad you both liked it and took something good away from seeing it. "I love it when a plan comes together" ;)
Thanks, Kir! About the only thing my husband and I agree on is having a drink and chatting at the end of the day. Which is probably my favorite thing to do. :)
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