What's Cooking?

2000

What's Cooking?

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.

52%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 66

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,522
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Movie Info

That most American of holidays, Thanksgiving, serves as the focal point for this raptly celebratory look at the modern American family. What's Cooking interweaves the workings of four diverse Los Angeles households-African American, Jewish, Latino, and Vietnamese-as they make their preparations for arriving guests and relatives for the traditionally festive dinner. Who but an outsider to these goings-on would have the keen perception and discernment to capture the detail and nuance of family relationships and the cultural specificity of behavior, decor, and most of all food with this degree of accuracy and freedom?

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Cast

Kyra Sedgwick
as Rachel Seelig
Mercedes Ruehl
as Elizabeth Avila
Julianna Margulies
as Carla
Alfre Woodard
as Audrey Williams
Joan Chen
as Trinh Nguyen
Maury Chaykin
as Herb Seelig
Victor Rivers
as Javier Avila
Dennis Haysbert
as Ronald Williams
Douglas Spain
as Anthony Avila
Lainie Kazan
as Ruth Seelig
Ann Weldon
as Grace Williams
Eric George
as Michael Williams
Maria Carmen
as Sofia Avila
A Martinez
as Daniel
Estelle Harris
as Aunt Bea
Will Yun Lee
as Jimmy Nguyen
Kristy Wu
as Jenny Nguyen
Jimmy Pham
as Gary Nguyen
Brennan Louie
as Gary Nguyen
Suzanne Carney
as Sarah Seelig
François Chau
as Duc Nguyen
Kieu Chinh
as Grandma Nguyen
Chao Li Chi
as Grandpa Nguyen
Charles Constant
as Announcer
Andrew Heckler
as Jerry
Gregory Itzin
as James Moore
Elena Lopez
as Grandma Avila
Ralph Manza
as Uncle David
Shareen J. Mitchell
as Paula Moore
Mariam Parris
as Monica Moore
Albie Selznick
as Art Seelig
Chad Todhunter
as Luke
Isidra Vega
as Gina Avila
Gwendolyn Oliver
as TV Reporter
Scott Nguyen
as Don
Margie Loomis
as Old Woman
Bruce Dobos
as Turkey Man
Jeremy Berger
as Turkey Man
Alexandra Castro
as Turkey Woman
Darren O'Bannon
as Turkey Man
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News & Interviews for What's Cooking?

Trailer Bulletin: Mission Impossible 3
A Day to Give Thanks (for Good Thanksgiving Movies!)
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Critic Reviews for What's Cooking?

All Critics (66) | Top Critics (22)

View All Critic Reviews (66)

Audience Reviews for What's Cooking?

  • May 02, 2011
    Great actors, but not very interesting storyline. A little too stereotypical, a lot too trite and concocted. Entertaining enough to watch to its conclusion, but not a very satisfying movie in the end.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 18, 2010
    A cute holiday movie. Wasn't especially memorable but the cast was good and the writing was alright.
    Sunil J Super Reviewer
  • Nov 13, 2008
    Definitely watchable with some great performances (sup Alfre Woodard), but also painfully heavy handed.
    Joey N Super Reviewer
  • Jul 07, 2008
    A nice slice of LA suburban life.
    Anthony V Super Reviewer
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