Toast 2010

Tom Long, Detroit News: Based on the assumedly truish story of British food celebrity Nigel Slater, and blessed with a soundtrack of Dusty Springfield songs, Toast nevertheless doesn't go down quite as smoothly as it should. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: Director S.J. Clarkson seems oblivious to the dissonance; perhaps he's deafened by the music. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: It might be described as a lighthearted theme and variation on the adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Read more

Sam Adams, Time Out: It's the cinematic equivalent of wax fruit: Look, but don't bite. Read more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: "Toast" has three things deserving of adoration: spectacular lemon-meringue pies, the songs of Dusty Springfield and Helena Bonham Carter. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: Sentimental, obvious, but well-nigh irresistible, this jubilant comedy equates England's bland cuisine with its sexual inhibition and suggests we could all use something a little more tasty (at dinnertime, that is). Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: "Toast," is by turns sweet and tart, airy and rich and, above all, a thoroughly irresistible confection. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: All the actors do well, but the film's strongest assets are the period details--including the highs (coq au vin) and lows (gelled ham) of Sixties cuisine. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: Be warned: Some of the regional British accents would benefit from subtitles. Read more

Rex Reed, New York Observer: I found it poignant, amusing and endearing. No need for marmalade. Just butter, and enjoy. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Like its namesake, "Toast" is crusty comfort food with little nutritional substance. Read more

Alonso Duralde, TheWrap: Like going to a restaurant where they fill you up with tasty appetizers and delicious bread but then kick you out before the main course is served. Read more

Leslie Felperin, Variety: Like the lemon meringue pies and shrimp cocktails it features throughout, Brit comedy-drama Toast is tasty, hearty and rather conventional. Read more

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice: Slater's book was evidently an ax-grinder, and the resulting film, directed with tone-deaf comic rhythm by S.J. Clarkson, shows pity and bemusement for the people raising Nigel but rarely human interest in them. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: For the most part, the movie feels like an emotional vacuum, mirroring the drab vanilla and mint green interiors of the Slaters' home. Read more