Lasse Hallstrom’s strongest film in years, The Hundred Foot Journey is an immigrant tale of immense heart, salivating visuals and charming performances.

The last time Hallstrom directed a “foodie” movie the result was Chocolat, a multi-Oscar nominated movie that had its charms, yet also had an anti-Catholicism that made it hard to swallow.

The Hundred Foot Journey has no such prejudices, instead presenting a charming story of ethnic harmony as an Indian family of restaurateurs try to make their mark in a small French village.

Based on the novel by Richard C. Morals and adapted by Steven Knight (a surprising change of pace for the man who wrote Eastern Promises and Locke), the film especially focuses on Hassan (Manish Dayal), a chef prodigy caught in the middle of a rivalry between his stubborn yet innovative Papa (Om Puri) and the equally stubborn and stuck-up Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren), owner of a Michelin star winning French restaurant who doesn’t appreciate the competition of Papa’s Indian restaurant located directly across the road.

While Hassan is an immensely likeable character played by Dayal with an easy going charm in what is sure to be a breakthrough role for the South Carolina native, it is the chemistry between Puri and Mirren (along with their individual performances) that is the heart, soul and highlight of The Hundred Foot Journey.

It is the evolution of Puri & Mirren's characters - from fierce adversaries of personal and nationalistic pride, to respectful rivals who share common characteristics - which represents the films message that multicultural harmony can be achieved through an embracement of cultures both native and foreign, with food being the key factor.

Of course as directed by Hallstrom and produced by the double power whammy of Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, such cultural integration is presented with much whimsical sentimentality.

Although based in modern times, the rustic picturesque setting of its Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val location in the South of France, combined with its traditional story-telling elements brings with it a blend of period lush and classical cinema feel.

Then there are the lavish shots of glorious food, with both French and Indian cuisine jostling for the rumblings of belly’s that will no doubt feed on the visual delights presented through Linus Sandgren’s glowing photography.

As a result, The Hundred Foot Journey is a film that aims for the heart, the eyes and especially the stomach and does so with delicate taste.