Toast (2010) (Blu-Ray)

Well worth the watch.

Disappointing.

This is a true story set in the 1960's See Nigel Slater in childhood. Nigels mother (Victoria Hamilton) can't cook but tries to cook meals but either the food is burnt or uncooked. As a sudsitute Nigels mother offers the family 'Toast'. Nigels mother (Victoria Hamilton) has Asthma and regulary uses her own inhaler after losing her breath. Nigels mother (Victoria Hamilton) has an asthma attack and sadly dies. A young Nigel Slater reads cookbooks from the 1960's. And he also has cookery classes at school. And attemps to cook the meals. Including Italian meals i.e Spegetti Bolangise. After the death of Mrs Slater(Victoria Hamilton) And moving on in life. The family move to a house in the country. After the death of Mrs Slater (Victoria Hamilton) Mr Slater (Ken Stott) takes on a new cleaner Joan Potter. Nigel and (Helena Bohmham Carter) Joan don't take to each other. Nigels Dad (Ken Stott) has an heart attack and suddenly dies. Leaving Nigel Slater and Joan Miller on their own. Nigel Slater suddenly leaves to never return and has a successful career in catering.

I came across this production on television. The film had already started but, although not a great fan of Nigel Slater's persona, what caught my attention were the performances of Freddie Highmore and Helena Bonham-Carter. Highmore was excellent as Slater, but Helena Bonham-Carter's as 'the woman who came to clean' (Mrs Potter) after Nigel's mother died, was utterly brilliant. The rivalry between them as to who was the better cook was absorbing. Nigel's own mother had been hopeless, so no contest there. However, that 'common woman', Mrs Potter whom, much to Nigel's disgust his father wed, was a superb cook, and the needle-match was on. Really enjoyable film. Very pleased with the DVD - can't wait for my husband (also not an avid fan of Nigel) to see it. I know he'll enjoy it just as much. Excellent seller. Would recommend.

It's an odd film. I know it's based upon Slater's celebrated memoirs - I'll bet they're a joy to read, but it makes for peculiar viewing. As a film, it really wanders about - there's no plot as such. No theme to grip to. It isn't motivated by dramatic device.It's disarmingly frank, in that Slater doesn't shy away from painting a vulgar picture. He often comes off as the reason for his own misery, but we never really explore the fundamental drivers. If there is a message from the movie, it's that you can get away with being prick while you're young because everything is going to work out fine.Good looking film, though.

Wanted to see the film after reading the book...was good but the book is much better.

Very good adaptation of Nigel Stater’s formative years.

Beautifully acted. I had read Nigel Slater's book before watching the DVD, but thoroughly enjoyed watching his story unfold in a poignant but entertaining way. The different stages of his growing up years were portrayed with thoughtfulness and humour. It is a very human story, which obviously showed his developing interest in cookery, but could be enjoyed for its own sake, as his development takes place against a variety of aults and the influences, for good or bad, which they have on him. A DVD which could be watched a number of times in order to enjoy everything in it, especially the mood and atmosphere of the time period in which it is set. Amazing Amazon for getting it to me so efficiently, and at such a good price.