French-Indian war rages in kitchen

VISUAL appeal counts for plenty when food plays a starring role in a movie. Our sense of smell may not be involved but food porn-worthy close-ups of fresh ingredients at a farmer's market or dishes lovingly prepared in the kitchen are almost enough to make up for it. Food captivates and unites audiences in ways that other subjects - a cops-and-robbers actioner or a superhero-based blockbuster, say - will not.

Unfortunately, the image that best represents The Hundred-Foot-Journey, directed by Lasse Hallstrom, written by Steven Knight and based on the novel by Richard C Morais, is that of a limp and overcooked asparagus, singled out in an early scene as an example of unacceptable standards at a Michelin-starred restaurant…