American Bistro
American Bistro

Movie spotlight

American Bistro

2019
Movie
94 min
English

A heartfelt adventure about a milquetoast accountant, Medor, whose perfect life is ruined when he discovers his wife having an affair with his boss. Having lost everything, he finds refuge in his estranged, deadbeat nephew and together, they chase his old, forgotten dream: opening a restaurant.

Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes30%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users55%
Director: Chris BrownGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

A struggling family-owned restaurant in New York City faces closure, forcing the owners to confront their personal and professional lives. As they navigate financial hardship and interpersonal conflicts, they must find a way to save their beloved establishment. The film explores themes of family, tradition, and the challenges of maintaining a small business in a competitive culinary world.

Critical Reception

American Bistro received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who often found its humor to be hit-or-miss and its plot predictable. Audience response was similarly lukewarm, with some appreciating the relatable themes of family struggle and the ensemble cast's efforts, while others felt the film lacked originality and compelling narrative drive.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements, often falling flat on both fronts.

  • While the cast attempts to inject life into the material, the script offers little in the way of fresh ideas or engaging character development.

  • The premise of a struggling restaurant is relatable, but the execution lacks the charm and insight needed to make it truly resonate.

Google audience: Google users appear divided, with some praising the film's focus on family dynamics and the performances of its comedic actors. However, a significant portion of viewers found the story to be uninspired and the humor not consistently funny, leading to a generally underwhelming experience.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in various restaurants across New York City, aiming for an authentic portrayal of the bustling culinary scene.

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