While I’m not sure many filmgoers this weekend will pick up on the delicious bit of counter-programming going on at their local theaters, those in the know should savor the appetizing idea of pitting this somewhat smaller (in terms of scale and scope) Jon Favreau release casting the writer, director and star as a successful chef who, thanks to an unwisely sent tweet about a food critic (Oliver Platt), winds up out of a job. But thanks to the support of his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) and her new husband (Robert Downey Jr.), he gets the chance to reconnect with his son (Emjay Anthony) and his passion for cooking behind the wheel of a food truck. Favreau and Downey seem to be enjoying their hiatus from theIron Man franchise, although this iron Chef has to faceoff against a mutant-powered tentpole. A hero’s work is never done. Now open at Esquire Theatre. (R) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in May 14-20, 2014.