Toast [PG]

It’s the 1960s and young Nigel Slater has an appetite: an appetite for good food. But unfortunately his mother has not much talent to show in the culinary arts. When she passes away, his father takes up with Mrs Potter, the new cleaning lady whom Nigel does not like at all, and it becomes all the more unbearable for Nigel when he discovers that the woman can cook; she can really cook! As the years go by, Nigel develops a keen interest in home economics and a battle of culinary wit and talent soon begins between Nigel and Mrs Potter. 

Based on the memoir by British food writer and television personality Nigel Slater, Toast was a really nice nostalgic collection of memories of childhood and growing up in the 60s, a time where being able to cook, really cook, was something remarkable. Like a gift. My own dad has regaled me with horror tales of his mother’s cooking where everything came in cans and you could not find anything fresh for miles around. Not like today where we’re all fresh and organic and multicultural. Wow, how the times have changed! 

It’s the 1960s and young Nigel Slater has an appetite: an appetite for good food. But unfortunately his mother has not much talent to show in the culinary arts. When she passes away, his father takes up with Mrs Potter, the new cleaning lady whom Nigel does not like at all, and it becomes all the more unbearable for Nigel when he discovers that the woman can cook; she can really cook! As the years go by, Nigel develops a keen interest in home economics and a battle of culinary wit and talent soon begins between Nigel and Mrs Potter. 

Instantly, this movie captivates the foodies in the audience, especially those who had a taste of food in the 60s. For a younger and more modern audience, it’s intriguing to look at the life of women back in the day; the common housewives who would do nothing but cook and clean and still retain their glamour and sometimes, psychotic personalities. Helena Bonham Carter who played the role of Mrs Potter, did this part very well and was completely engaging and repulsive at the same time. 

Yes, there are many viewpoints from which you can watch this movie and glean some insight into history and marvel at how dramatically the world and society has changed: foodies, feminists, modernists, and then just general nostalgics will all get something to talk about out of this film. 

Not to mention that the soundtrack is wonderful, comprised entirely of moving, uplifting, melancholy, and soulful Dusty Springfield tracks. It’s just beautiful. 

Starring Oscar Kennedy, Victoria Hamilton, Colin Prockter, Ken Scott, Matthew McNulty, Helena Bonham Carter, and Freddie Highmore, Toast is a very good film filled with enticing food, drama, comedy, beautiful music, and nostalgia. I quite enjoyed it and would watch it again.