Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens April 28, 2017

Runs 103 minutes

This is a documentary about Chef Jeremiah Tower, long considered one of the founders of New American Cuisine and deemed one of the first "celebrity chefs". The movie begins with Jeremiah in self-imposed exile in Mexico. It seems that he felt that he couldn't live among humans any more. Then the movie jumps back into his childhood with re-enactments of certain happenings and voice-overs by Jeremiah. It seems he was from a wealthy family- lavish travel, fancy hotels, luxury ocean liners and boarding schools. But, his parents showed little interest in him and he often found himself in the kitchen on these trips, trying new foods and observing the preparations. Thus, a love-affair with food was born. Soon, he was working at Chez Panisse in California, beginning the new American Cuisine craze and reveling in the fame that started to come his way. He soon left and opened his own restaurant, Stars in San Francisco. This was one of the most popular restaurants in the country, a must visit for foodies and movie stars alike. However, the San Francisco earthquake destroyed his establishment and the make-up of the community it served. Jeremiah never recovered and retreated to Mexico. Years later, the film follows him as he comes out of retirement for one last hurrah at Tavern on the Green in New York City. Not quite the ending to his career that he had hoped.
 

I thought this movie sounded interesting. it was produced and narrated in part by Anthony Bourdain. So I kind of expected a little more. There was plenty of commentary by other famous chefs, along with Martha Stewart. They all agreed that Jeremaih was important in the context of new American Cuisine. To me, there just wasn't any drama to this film. I thought it was slow. Lots of talking heads. And, Jeremiah contemplating the Mexican pyramids. If you are not a huge foodie, then I would skip this film. I usually love documentaries, but I found this one a little lacking. You can probably skip this one. I should have.

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