While this is no gourmet treat, this movie will satisfy anyone’s hunger. 

“Burnt,” directed by John Wells and starring Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, is a serviceable character study.

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Adam Jones was once one of the most highly-regarded chefs in the world, but it all came crashing down because of booze and drugs. Now sober, Jones tries to redeem himself and get the third Michelin star that always alluded him.

“Burnt” is an example of a film that needed more focus on good writing and less cliches to be fantastic.

The characters always talk about the change they go through instead of showing it through action, breaking the cardinal storytelling rule of show don’t tell.

Nothing can be silent, and it doesn’t respect subtlety.

In various moments, this ruins what could be a cool, emotional story point.

The plot is a little overused. It’s similar to “Crazy Heart,” or “The Wrestler,” or “Chef.”

But most of the writing is unique and creative. 

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This movie uses little, but progressive tactics to make it different, one being the addition of a two-dimensional gay character. This individual was not a gay stereotype and this made the film different. 

And Cooper brings the heat as Jones. He has not given a bad performance in his career. Even in trash like “Failure to Launch,” he exceeds the quality of the movie. This is no different.

The director or screenwriter fails to bring depth to Jones, Cooper makes him sympathetic.

In a scene of relapse, Jones gets drunk and goes to an enemy’s restaurant. Just in his actions, the actor makes audience members cringe, cry and hate him all at once.

Stars: 3.5 out 5. 

Jacob Pierce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JacobPierce1_DE.