'The Hundred-Foot Journey' review: Endearing film

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- If you consider yourself a true foodie, "The Hundred-Foot Journey" is probably your kind of movie. But for me, a guy who actually loves oatmeal and eats it every day, would this food-filled film fill me with reasons to rave about it? Turns out, yes.

"The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a Dreamworks tale of two cultures. The film takes place in a charming village in the south of France.

Helen Mirren plays the owner of a fancy French restaurant.

Om Puri is the patriarch of an Indian family new to town. He buys the vacant property just across the street from her renowned establishment, and he and his family open an eatery celebrating Indian cuisine.

Mirren's character does not put out the welcome mat. She is sensational, and Puri shows why he's one of India's most beloved stars.

This journey focuses on the talented chef in the Indian family, played by Manish Dayal. Mirren's character would love to see him working in her kitchen.

Manish and his love interest in the film, played by Charlotte Le Bon, both give terrific performances that should have people looking them up on IMDb to learn more.

Director Lasse Halstrom, who made the great "Chocolat" in 2000, apparently knows the recipe for films involving food because he's made another delicious one here.

Oh, the pot definitely gets stirred here, no doubt. But in the end, "The Hundred-Foot Journey" is a tasty feast made with love. It's enjoyable, it's endearing, it's an experience and it's going to make a lot of foodies hungry.

When this movie was over, I was sure glad I made the more than "Hundred-Foot Journey" to see it. Recently, I really enjoyed the foodie movie, "Chef," but I actually liked this one even more. I recommend you see this as the appetizer for your evening, then go out, and, as we Italians say, Mange!