What's Cooking?

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What's Cooking?

PG-13

Released Nov 17, 2000

1h 49m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

52%

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66 Reviews

65%

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1,000+ Ratings

You are invited to a tasty Thanksgiving dinner that will all at once transport you to four different worlds and take you home again. On the menu this November are turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie -- but also tamales, spring rolls, kugel, mac & cheese, love, betrayal, sibling rivalry, prejudice, politics, uninvited guests, unexpected accidents, outrageous conversations -- and all the other succulent and spicy surprises that arise when modern families come together for an annual meal.

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Critics Consensus

What's Cooking? is well-acted, but the scenes sometimes sink into melodrama as characters scream at each other, and the movie as a whole is too lightweight and forgettable.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A bit melodramatic at times, but still charming.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

This valentine to the cultural diversity that defines L.A. is a second-tier Altman (or even Paul Thomas Anderson)a broad, accessible comedy that contrasts four large and dynamic families residing on the same street: Latino, black, Jewish, and Asian.

Rated: B-

Dec 20, 2006

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Jane Crowther

BBC.com

A combination of fresh ingredients mixed together with skill to create a well-balanced harmony of diverse flavours. Delicious.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2001

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

What's Cooking? (2000) is so nicely balanced and fine-tuned by director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) that it turns into an honest holiday film, filled with plenty of delicious-looking shots of Thanksgiving dishes being prepared and served.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 23, 2025

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Film Threat

Rated: 2/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Alexander B

I loved this film because it showed you how families in America celebrate thanksgiving differently and how every family has problems. It's also great for a foodie like me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

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alan g

Good acting but much melodrama as stated. Too confusing. Too many families involved. You need a scorecard.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

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steve m

An interesting concept, how Asian, Latino, Black, and Jewish families celebrate Thanksgiving. Each family has their issues and problems surface throughout the day. But there really isn't any connection among them so the movie is a little disjointed.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Of all the "Thanksgiving" movies, this one is the most realistic and all-encompassing. It's also more upbeat than "Home for the Holidays" and "Pieces of April." I truly love and appreciate the directors vision of the different versions of Thanksgiving, without a traditional Anglo family (I already know that one). How is a turkey in four different families treated, prepared, and eaten? How do four families "bond" around that holiday table? And while a little cheesy (Thanksgiving pun?), I like the family-dynamic themes of transgenerational parenting, sexual preference, dating outside your culture, bullying, etc.) and the ending. Stereotypes are distracting, but it's part of this style of movie. Bonus: there are some good actors here. Problem: they aren't at their best (ie., overacting, forced, playing up clichés). Overall, for a realitic Thanksgiving movie, check it out.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Audience Member

This is absolutely a must see Thanksgiving movie. You can almost smell the food as each of the 4 families prepare for the big meal in their own way. Sure some of it's melodramatic, but isn't that what family gatherings are? This movie also contains a twist at the end. Remember, "It's A Wonderful Life " didn't catch on at first.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

I absolutely love this movie. It's a look into the lives of real people. It's a fun watch every year in November.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Synopsis

You are invited to a tasty Thanksgiving dinner that will all at once transport you to four different worlds and take you home again. On the menu this November are turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie -- but also tamales, spring rolls, kugel, mac & cheese, love, betrayal, sibling rivalry, prejudice, politics, uninvited guests, unexpected accidents, outrageous conversations -- and all the other succulent and spicy surprises that arise when modern families come together for an annual meal.

Director: Gurinder Chadha
Producer: Jeffrey Taylor
Screenwriter: Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Trimark Pictures
Production Co: Stagescreen Productions, Flashpoint, Because Entertainment, Hope and Gravy Inc.
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sexuality|Perilous Situation|Brief Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0M
Runtime: 1h 49m

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