Toast (2010)

The ultimate nostalgia trip through everything edible in 1960's Britain.

Director:

S.J. Clarkson (as S J Clarkson)

Writers:

Lee Hall, Nigel Slater (memoir)

Stars:

Oscar Kennedy, Victoria Hamilton, Colin Prockter

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oscar Kennedy	...	Young Nigel Slater
Victoria Hamilton	...	Mum
Colin Prockter	...	Percy Salt
Ken Stott	...	Dad
Matthew McNulty	...	Josh
Frasier Huckle	...	Warrel
Kia Pegg	...	Milk Girl
Rielly Newbold	...	Leonard
Roger Walker	...	Gardener
Rob Jarvis	...	Fishmonger
Amy Marston	...	Primary School Teacher
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Mrs. Potter
Selina Cadell	...	Ruby
Freddie Highmore	...	Nigel Slater
Louise Mardenborough	...	Rachel

Storyline

Wolverhampton,1967: nine year old Nigel Slater loves his mother though she is a hopeless cook, her finest offering being toast whilst he has great culinary aspirations. When she dies of asthma Nigel is left with a distant father but worse is to come when the 'common' Mrs. Joan Potter arrives as the Slaters' cleaner. Nigel fears, rightly, that her aim is to be the next Mrs. Slater and soon he has a new stepmother and is whisked away to the country. Joan is, however, a superb cook but this only makes for rivalry as Nigel, the only boy in his cookery class at secondary school, competes with her to find the way to his father's heart. A weekend job in a pub kitchen introduces Nigel to an older boy, another great cook and gay like himself, who gives him the confidence and inspiration to leave home after his father's death and head for the hotel kitchens of London.

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Plot Keywords:

cook | boy | kitchen | hotel kitchen | rivalry | 

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Taglines:

The story of a boy's hunger.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 December 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mesterkokken

Filming Locations:

Grand Hotel, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Ruby Films, Screen West Midlands

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is an adaptation of the autobiography of food writer Nigel Slater. The central character is given that name. In the final scene, when Freddy Highmore is given a job in the kitchens of the Savoy hotel, the person who hires him is played by the real life Nigel Slater.

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Goofs

When Nigel plays the 7 inch single towards the end of the drama, he pulls out a record with a 'Harvest' label. Dusty Springfield was never on this label.

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Quotes

Mrs. Potter: I brought you a cup of tea, nice with a cake.
Nigel Slater: I don't want to, I don't have to have it. I don't want you in my life anymore!

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits in the grocery store consist of the names of the writers, producer and lead actors printed on actual products, the title, and the director's name shown on a scale.

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 13 December 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Ne Me Quittes Pas (If You Go Away)
Performed by Chris Egan
Written by Jacques Brel

User Reviews

Freddie Highmore

he does a great job in a not really comfortable role. and that could not be a surprise. but, working with Helena Bonham Carter , he sustain, in better manner, the expectations inspired by the other performances. because he does a realistic Nigel Slater. because it gives a character who has small references to the lovely boy from his filmography. because the war between Nigel and his stepmother, amusing, cruel, almost grotesque, is the perfect arena for proof his talent. it is not a film about jealousy or food or black humor, crazy competition or homage to the 1960 years. it is only a too clear portrait for the mistakes and need to survive. and one of films who gives the chance to Freddie Highmore to impress.