Six or seven years ago I really began to love cooking. There was something about being creative in the kitchen that reminded me of studying art back in high school…exploring something sensory, diving into alchemy. The difference of course was that unlike my oil paintings, my creativity in the kitchen came with an extra level of joy when I picked up my dinner fork.

So you’d think that where a food movie like SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE was concerned, that I might take the bait and look past the flaws. I didn’t, but more on that in a bit.

There’s something wonderful about food movies done well. It could come down to the fact that they are surprisingly rare, but I have always loved scenes that involve people talking about, delighting in, and especially preparing food. Hell, even watching an animated Remy get in touch with his culinary joy in RATATOUILLE gives me a smile and makes my mouth water.

So with that in mind, perhaps it actually makes sense that Lady Hatter owns this film. Perhaps there’s something to be gained from a whimsical tale of a girl whose emotions magically seep into the dishes she creates? After all, the food certainly looks good! (Side Note: Films that succeed in making me hungry usually gain a notch or two in my overall impression)

Unfortunately, in the case of this cinematic silliness, there is no magic, no joy, and no whimsy. The whole thing plays out with the “ludicrous” filter firmly set in front of the lens, and that doesn’t even include the fact that all of Buffy’s culinary chops are courtesy of a magical crab. (Hey Sebastian, give us a chorus of “Under the Sea” while the soup simmers).

Knowing how fond my wife is of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I presume that the purchase of this dvd was an offshoot of that passion. And that right there my friends is why I have always warned against going into a film strictly for the actors. Hell, even Patricia Clarkson, who is usually as trusty a thespian as they come, can’t save this stupidity.

Oh well. I was inspired to whip up one or two tasty dinners over the days that followed this dvd, so it wasn’t a total waste of 90 minutes. But if someone can explain to me why my wife still owns this dvd, I’d dearly appreciate it. Hopefully, it all gets better from here on in.