On Nov. 25, Americans will be giving thanks to good health and happy lives. For many, it’s a day that takes weeks, even months, to plan. From an overextended guest list to preparation of the bird (deep fried or oven-cooked),
On Nov. 25, Americans will be giving thanks to good health and happy lives. For many, it’s a day that takes weeks, even months, to plan. From an overextended guest list to preparation of the bird (deep fried or oven-cooked), the chefs du jour are thankful when the last platter is washed and packed away. The independent feature with an all-star cast, “What’s Cooking?” is a look at four families in multicultural Los Angeles and how they deal with family secrets and unwanted tension on Thanksgiving.
The strict Nguyen family, helmed by mother Trinh Nguyen (Joan Chen), prepares a feast mixed with Asian delicacies including a turkey that is prepared both American- and Asian-style. The family is dealing with a college-aged son not coming home, a sexually active teen daughter, and teen son who has hidden a gun in his room, all the while running a family-owned video store.
The close-knit Avila family also prepares for the festive day. A beautiful overstuffed turkey is paired with homemade tamales and foods of the like. Lizzy Avila (Mercedes Rheul) is adjusting to a newly single life, even dating a handsome young co-worker (A Martinez) she invited over for dessert and to meet the family. Little does she know that her son has invited Lizzy’s ex-husband, an arrogant and unapologetic cheater who left her and the kids.
The Williams family keeps up a grand façade in the wake of a bad marriage and a stressful home. As Audrey Williams (Alfre Woodard) prepares a beautiful meal, she is subjected to the harsh criticism of her opinionated and overbearing mother-in-law. Audrey’s husband, Ronald, is a workaholic who often leaves Audrey to fend for herself. Michael, their college-dropout son who shares strong political differences with his father, comes to dinner unannounced and reveals to everyone that Ronald has been having an affair with a coworker.
The Seelig family is a strong Jewish family that has not fully accepted a daughter’s homosexuality. When Rachel (Kyra Segwick) visits with her partner Carla (Julia Margulies), Mr. and Mrs. Seelig continue to feel uneasy, despite Rachel and Carla’s long-standing relationship. Rachel has been asked to keep her sexuality under wraps as she has done most of her life. No longer able to keep silent, Rachel reveals that she is pregnant and that she and Carla are together.
When the gun that the teenaged boy at the Nguyen home accidentally goes off, all four families are startled by the unexpected burst. It is revealed that all these families live in the same neighborhood. The gunshot has made everyone vulnerable. No one is injured. Through all the indiscretions, lies, truths and secrets, they are thankful for one another and thankful for their lives. “What’s Cooking?” is an entertaining movie, one you should be thankful you watched.
2000
Directed by Gurinder Chadha
Joan Chen, Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Julianna Marguiles
