A food movie that depends very heavily on personal taste. If simplicity, sincerity, and sweetness are high on your list of cinematic preferences, then director Eric Khoo’s tale of a mixed-race cook’s journey to understand his family history —and perhaps even find some harmony between the Chinese and Japanese elements therein — during a sojourn in Singapore will likely prove satisfying. But if you view things like camera placement, dialogue, and acting as more than mere seasoning for a story, you will almost certainly want to seek sustenance elsewhere. “Inexpert” was the word that kept coming to mind, rather than “careless,” and the difference between the two made the overall experience just pleasant enough for this particular palate. Oh, and the food looks great, during both prep and presentation. (2018) — Matthew Lickona
This movie is not currently in theaters.