Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter

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David F This is a magnificent documentary about Charlie Trotter, a famous chef in Chicago who launched a fine dining restaurant in the late 1980s and made it the foundation of a culinary empire that included cookbooks, other restaurants, and a training ground for other up-and-coming chefs. Trotter’s restaurant had a multi-decade run and made him a chef icon but he was not without a dark side and the film explores his enigmatic personality. His food and innovations like putting a table for diners in his kitchen cemented his lasting fame in the world of food but he could also be mercurial, cruel, and a bit of a sell out. This film shows every side of him, resisting any urge to make a definitive statement other than to let those who knew and worked with him each have their say from their own perspectives. This movie is also a great film of Chicago exploring its food culture near the end of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty first century. The setting and the personality of Trotter have much in common, both striving out of the shadows of more influential or perceived-as-superior cities and chefs to achieve their ambitions through an almost fanatical devotion to success. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/14/24 Full Review Yelena M So sad to see how he was treated in the last several years of his life. He is a legend, who deserved more acclaim than was given. I wonder why his wife chose not to participate in this documentary and pay tribute to the man he was. May his legend live on forever. Thank you for making this documentary. But I wish it wasn't described as “rise and fall”. He didn't fall, he was ill and in declining health. It should have been described as “legend gone too soon”. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/24 Full Review Scott M Well plated documentary about a trailblazer of American culinary, Charlie Trotter, and proof that pioneers get slaughtered, while settlers prosper. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/04/24 Full Review darren m Do not miss. A gloriously successful masterpiece of a documentary. It does not get better than this. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/23 Full Review Michael L Not only is this an incredible film about one of America's greatest chefs, but it is also one of the best documentaries EVER made. Period! Director Rebecca Halpern does a masterful job portraying both the genius and obsessive behavior that made Chef Trotter so inspirational...and controversial. Rare family photos, intimate personal letters, home movies, archival footage and exclusive new interviews are used with unique style and finesse throughout the film. And although Chef Trotter passed away tragically at age 54, this movie allows his story to live on forever. A MUST SEE!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review bklyn 1 I went to see this film thinking it was about foodies and walked out having a better appreciation of humanity. For all those striving for perfection Love, Charlie gives a perspective on the costs of trying to always seek perfection while bringing out the best in those around you. I was struck by the volume of personal detail the film brings to life for someone who changed the food world and those around him for the better Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/22 Full Review Read all reviews

Love, Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter

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