Is Devoted Cookbook Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)

📖 The Core Premise

Devoted Cookbook returns to the screen in 2014, bringing a fresh narrative to the TV Movie genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "It is the Spring of 1814. The restaurant “Tsuru-ka” is gaining much popularity after its chef, Mio, won the prestigious cooking competition. One day, the owner of “Tsuru-ka”, Taneichi, employed young Fuki to be the attendant for customers’ shoes. Mio could fully empathize with young Fuki, who was an orphan and yet was courageous enough to survive on her own. Around the same time, the famous novelist Seiemon started coming to “Tsuru-ka”. Even though Seiemon criticized Mio’s cooking each time, he always returned to the restaurant daily."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Devoted Cookbook, Keiko Kitagawa delivers a performance that anchors the emotional weight of the film. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good TV Movie. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Devoted Cookbook worth your time? If you appreciate TV Movie films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. It stands out as one of the stronger entries of 2014, offering enough depth to satisfy critical viewers while remaining accessible to casual audiences.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Devoted Cookbook is a solid addition to the genre. With a runtime of N/A minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Definitely Watch.