Grande Maison Paris, directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, is a cinematic feast that serves as a worthy big-screen successor to the beloved Japanese drama La Grande Maison Tokyo. Starring Takuya Kimura as Chef Natsuki Obana, this film transports audiences to the heart of Parisian cuisine, where ambition, artistry, and personal redemption simmer in a high-stakes culinary crucible. Shot on location in the French capital, the movie dazzles with its vivid portrayal of Paris’s gastronomic world, blending intense drama with mouth-watering visuals.
Kimura returns as Obana, the once-disgraced chef, now chasing the elusive third Michelin star in Paris, carrying the weight of his past failures which Kimura channels effortlessly. His blonde-dyed hair—a nod to real-life Michelin-starred chef Kei Kobayashi—adds a striking visual flair, symbolizing Obana’s bold reinvention. His chemistry with Kyoka Suzuki, reprising her role as the sous-chef Rinko Hayami, grounds the story in a partnership that feels both professional and deeply personal.
The film’s plot follows Obana and his team as they open Grande Maison Paris, a restaurant aiming to make history as the first Asian-led establishment to earn three Michelin stars in France. The story, penned by Tsutomu Kuroiwa, leans heavily on the underdog trope, with Obana facing ingredient-sourcing woes, and internal team friction. A disastrous gala dinner early in the film sets the stage for a high-stakes wager: Obana vows to his former mentor that he’ll leave Paris if he fails to secure the coveted stars.
The film’s core—pursuing perfection at personal cost—echoes the intensity of shows like The Bear, but with a distinctly Japanese lens on discipline and camaraderie. It explores Obana’s struggle to balance his uncompromising vision with the needs of his team, a theme that resonates across industries, as one X post noted: “a film with lessons for all professions” about teamwork and sacrifice.
Ultimately, Grande Maison Paris is a love letter to food, ambition, and second chances. It’s a film that, like a perfectly executed dish, balances bold flavors with subtle notes, even if it doesn’t always reach the lofty heights of its three-star aspirations. For fans of the original series, it’s a satisfying continuation; for newcomers, it’s an accessible entry into Obana’s world.
Screening at Luna Leederville, Windsor, Luna on SX From Thursday, Jul 10, 2025.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
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