The Hundred-Foot Journey

The dueling eateries in The Hundred-Foot Journey might be close physically, but culturally, they’re thousands of miles apart.

That’s the menu for this wholesome and uplifting saga of food and family — adapted from the novel by Richard Morais — that provides a feast for the eyes even if it neglects the rest of the senses.

So even as the film showcases some shots of mouth-watering entrees and breathtaking French scenery, the storyline is predictable enough to make you wish the filmmakers could have added more spice to the recipe.

The story takes place in a small village in southern France, where the Kadam family lands from India seeking a fresh start. They decide to open a restaurant across the street from a luxury establishment operated by Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), whose vindictive nature has run all prior competitors out of town.

When Maison Mumbai opens its doors, Madame Mallory immediately starts engaging in sabotage and sophomoric pranks with the Kadam family patriarch (Om Puri). But she also recognizes the culinary talents of Hassan (Manish Dayal), the youngest Kadam son whose love for cooking was passed down from his late mother. Hassan, meanwhile, develops a friendship with his competitor’s compassionate sous chef (Charlotte LeBon).

As the two restaurants vie for customers, the two proprietors realize that the best solution both personally and professionally might be to bridge their differences through a shared passion for fine food.

Venerable director Lasse Hallstrom (The Cider House Rules) fits the material snugly into the framework of a slick crowd-pleaser that dispenses with subtlety and surprise in favor of cutesy romantic comedy staples.

Fortunately, the cast makes the project easier to stomach, including classy veterans Mirren and Puri as the stubborn old restaurateurs, and relative newcomers Dayal (Breaking the Girls) and LeBon (Mood Indigo) as the mischievous young foodies.

There’s not much insight into Indian culture from the broad characterizations in the change-of-pace screenplay by Steven Knight (Eastern Promises), which relies too heavily on culture-clash stereotypes but at least knows its way around a kitchen. Still, the effort to mend fences and wrap up everything neatly in the end feels more calculated than genuine.

The Hundred-Foot Journey dishes out a mostly flavorful blend of comedy and drama, with a dash of poignancy, which helps to overcome its blander ingredients.

Rated PG, 122 minutes.