Today's Special

Charming Indie film
This movie was an unexpected charmer! It's the story of a second generation east Indian sous chef, whose mother keeps trying to arrange a marriage for him. He expects to get a promotion as Executive chef of his own restaurant. But they tell him he doesn't have the passion they're looking for. So he quits, and decides to go to Paris to study under a master. Then his immigrant father, whose ethnic restaurant is failing, has a heart attack. Our disgruntled hero, whose knowledge of the cuisine of his heritage is limited, is forced to ask for help from a cab driver who claims to have superb cooking skills. In the mix is a girl from the restaurant from which he resigned, and the characters who hang out at his father's restaurant. I loved the heart and soul of this movie. I'm a life coach, and there were some very believable and tender moments. Yes, the plot was a bit predictable, but the humanity of the characters and their interrelationships drew me in. If you're tired of some of...

A Lightweight Crowd Pleaser About Food, Family, And Friends
The genial and engaging "Today's Special" may not hold many surprises, but it has an irresistible charm that is guaranteed to ensure its status as a crowd pleasing favorite. It's a gentle and, dare I say, sweet comedy about searching for success but finding contentment instead in the most unlikely of places. At the end of the day, I may have wished the film had taken a road less traveled--but it's all so big-hearted, why bother quibbling? The film celebrates good food, good friends, good family, good times and throws in a bit of romance for good measure. That's a lot of good in this genuinely appealing movie.

Co-writer Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) stars as a jaded New York chef who's looking to take the next big advance in the culinary world. When by-passed for an expected promotion, Mandvi starts to reconfigure his career and plans to take dramatic steps to meet his ambitions. His meddlesome parents don't seem to understand him and, in return, he holds...

Honest Look Into The Mirror
Samir is a self-assured, accomplished and extremely diligent sous chef. His hard work has earned him a position as second-in-command at a high profile eatery. And, having paid his dues the past six years, he expects to be tapped to head his boss' latest expansion restaurant. He's so secure in that knowledge that, when it's announced through a trade publication that a junior chef that he oversees will be given the prestigious position, he is utterly dumbstruck.

Angry, confused and frothing - he demands an explanation. The top chef explains to him that he's competent, efficient, and very much an excellent lieutenant, but he just doesn't have what it takes to be a head chef. The boss hesitates giving him a full and honest critique until he's pushed into a corner and relents. He tells Samir that, in his opinion, he lacks the verve, the passion, and the simple love of cooking.

Stunned and emotionally devastated - he quits. Deciding he needs to make a big move, both...

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