Nobu will be coming to digital platforms from 18th May.
Nobu celebrated its World premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and we finally got a look this week at this gastronomy themed documentary as we explore the man himself alongside is business partners Robert De Niro and Meir Teper.
Revolving around chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa this documentary gives you a gentle insight into the man who refined global gastronomy.
Whilst the documentary chronicles the life of one of the most famous chefs in the world it never really dives too much into the details and instead seems to stay very surface-level giving us glimpses behind the scenes that only further enhance the Nobu brand. Less documentary and more glossy trailer for future business opportunities.
From scouting new restaurant locations to expanding into a hotel chain Nobu has gone from strength to strength over the years and this rags to riches story is always one that I can appreciate and gravitate towards but it’s hard to really root for Nobu when we see so little of his personality on show here within the doc.
It looks great—full of beautifully shot food and luxurious settings—but it rarely digs beneath the surface and when it does it’s merely a glimpse but Nobu comes across like a kind-hearted and down to earth man that is laser focused on his craft. You only need to look on the faces of people around him during business meetings to know he’s very set in his ways and knows what he wants.
Nobu himself comes across as a compelling figure. He’s shown as intensely driven and meticulous about his craft, someone with a clear vision who demands precision from those around him. Yet he also seems personable and grounded, which adds a human touch the film doesn’t fully capitalize on.
This is particularly striking when contrasted with parts of the wider Nobu brand—such as his London hotel, which has developed a reputation among some guests for rude or overly arrogant staff. That disconnect highlights something the documentary glosses over: while the brand can sometimes feel overly polished or impersonal, Nobu himself appears far more approachable, even warm, despite his exacting standards.
I did rather enjoy looking at a whole variety of food throughout my viewing time as it left me rather peckish indeed but sadly it didn’t make me want to go and visit a Nobu restaurant or hotel anytime soon that’s for sure and if that’s the point of the documentary it failed on that part too.
Our Rating
Summary
Nobu is visually appealing and intermittently engaging, especially for food lovers, but it never quite escapes the sense that it’s promoting a luxury lifestyle rather than truly examining the man behind it.
