[Review] Abe(2020) {7/10}

Directed by Fernando Grostein Andrade from a screenplay by Lameece Issaq the film stars Noah Schnapp (Abe), Seu Jorge (Chico), Mark Margolis (Benjamin) and Dagmara Domińczyk (Rebecca).

The plot follows Abe (Noah Schnapp), a 12-year-old boy from Brooklyn who loves food and loves to cook. But with Palestinian heritage on one side of the family and Jewish heritage on the other, family meals mostly descend into arguments and bitter feelings on both sides. Abe wants to find a way to bring the two sides together, and when he discovers fusion cooking, he thinks he's found a way to do just that. He starts training with a popular Brooklyn chef (Seu Jorge), which exposes him to a vast, new world of culinary arts. Unfortunately, he hides what he's doing from his parents by ditching the day camp he's supposed to attend. And when they find out what's been going on, it looks like Abe's dream of finally bringing the family together could be in danger.

You don't have to be a gourmet to appreciate all the lovely images of food, from preparation to presentation, that are the backbone of this gentle story about a boy bringing family together. Abe is bound to make your mouth water whatever level of interest you have in the culinary arts. Served up alongside Abe's love of food is a gentle, low-key story that kids and families of all kinds will relate to. Some of the acting and the script are a bit stilted, but Noah Schnapp is an engaging presence on screen, and Seu Jorge is wonderful as a solid rock to lean on. Abe may inspire some kids to get into the kitchen themselves. It's also a good opportunity to learn about the history of conflict between Israel and Palestine, and a nice reminder of how families should lift one another up instead of tearing each other down. Brief strong language makes it best for tweens and up, but it's otherwise a pleasant way for families to enjoy some togetherness.

Abe is now available on Digital and Blu-ray.