Watch King Georges

King Georges is a compelling documentary that follows renowned and celebrated chef Georges Perrier, who is known for his elegant style of French cooking, as he faces the biggest challenge of his career - closing down his iconic restaurant Le Bec-Fin after more than four decades of running it. Directed by Erika Frankel, the movie revolves around the journey of a man who has dedicated his life to cooking and has achieved immense success and recognition in the culinary world. Georges Perrier is a character who is equal parts proud, passionate, and stubborn. He is a perfectionist who demands the best from himself and his team and is never satisfied with anything less than excellence.

The film takes us through the final days of Le Bec-Fin, the legendary Philadelphia restaurant that had been Perrier's domain for 42 years. As the days wind down, Perrier tries to come to grips with the emotional and financial toll of closing his restaurant, saying goodbye to his loyal staff and the regular patrons who've become like family over the years.

Throughout the documentary, we see Perrier as a complex character, and the film does an exceptional job of portraying his personality. On one hand, he is an artist who is passionate about his craft and is willing to make any sacrifice for his restaurant. On the other hand, he is a taskmaster who can be harsh and uncompromising with his employees, and that has led to friction with some of them.

The cornerstone of the film is Perrier's relationship with Nicholas Elmi, his protégé, who has worked with him for years and who is the executive chef at his new restaurant, Laurel. Elmi is a talented chef in his own right, who respects and admires Perrier for his contribution to the culinary world.

Their relationship is complex, and the movie does an excellent job of showing both the closeness and distance between the two men. Even though they have a father-son type of relationship, they also butt heads about how to move forward and transfer the legacy of Le Bec-Fin to the new generation of chefs.

The movie also explores the changing culinary scene in Philadelphia and how Perrier's style of cooking has gradually fallen out of favor with the younger generation of diners who favor more casual dining experiences. It paints a vivid picture of how hard it is for a restaurant to stay relevant for so many years, and how the chef's legacy is inextricably linked with the success or failure of his restaurant.

The film is shot brilliantly and has vivid visuals of the cooking process that will make food lovers drool. The documentary captures the essence of the French culinary tradition and masterfully shows Perrier's skill and flair when it comes to cooking. From meticulously plating a dish to working the kitchen, the audience gets to see what it takes to run a top-level restaurant.

The film's score is excellent too, and it sets the right emotional tone for different scenes. The movie covers many genres, from drama to comedy to tragedy, and the music blends perfectly with the mood of the scene.

In conclusion, King Georges is a poignant documentary that ticks all the right boxes. It has a compelling storyline, vibrant visuals, and an incredible soundtrack. It portrays the life and work of one of the world's greatest chefs and captures his essence with honesty and depth. The film succeeds in capturing the passion, dedication, and sacrifice that goes into making a successful restaurant and showcases the legacy Georges Perrier has left behind. It's a must-see for food lovers, aspiring chefs, and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes world of gastronomy.

King Georges is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 71.