Is What's for Dinner, Mom? Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

📖 The Core Premise

What's for Dinner, Mom? stands as a 2017 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama landscape. 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. "Two sisters Tae and Yo come back to their old house which is soon to be torn down. Clearing up the family mementos, Tae finds a red box full of recipes and letters written by their mother who died 20 years ago. In these recipes and letters, she finds out how her mother had struggled in her life due to relocation from Japan to Taiwan, the death of her Taiwanese husband, and a battle with cancer. Tae travels to Taiwan to trace her mother's past, reminiscing about the dishes she made for the family."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Haruka Kinami does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is What's for Dinner, Mom? worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a must-watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, What's for Dinner, Mom? is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 117 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.