Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery

Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery is a captivating cinematic piece from 2015. The film can best be described as a delightful mix of mystery, crime, drama, and a hint of romance, directed skillfully by Matthew Blecha. Its talented cast includes Dylan Neal, Brooke Burns, and Matthew Kevin Anderson, who successfully combines their acting skills to bring a unique culinary crime story to life.

The film introduces us to the complex and intriguing world of Henry Ross (Dylan Neal), a distinctive Gourmet Detective. A former chef trained in France and a lauded food expert, he now uses his knowledge and passion for gastronomy in criminal investigation. His sophisticated palette is as much the star of this film as he is. Utilising it and his intricate knowledge about food, he probes into deceptively complex culinary-related crimes that would leave the traditional detective stumped.

Brooke Burns plays the role of Maggie, a no-nonsense detective with the San Francisco Police Department. While she's savvy in her own right with typical police work, she's stymied when it comes to gourmet crimes that have a foodie flavor to them. Her character brings balance to the dynamic between the two leads, presenting a necessary and realistic focus on law enforcement procedures and the nitty-gritty aspects of detective work.

Matthew Kevin Anderson portrays Detective Munro, representing the conventional wing of the police force. He is initially skeptical about Henry’s methods, which often lead away from standard police protocols. It's his character that keeps you rooted in the reality of police procedure which contrasts with the gourmet world of food and wine.

The film starts off with a murder at a renowned gastronomic society in San Francisco. The victim is a high-profile restaurant critic who was about to pen a revelatory book about secrets in the culinary world. The unfortunate event opens a Pandora's box of secrets, betrayals, and long-standing grudges, all tangled up in the world of fine dining.

As an outsider brought in to assist the police with this peculiar homicide, Henry takes center stage. He was a personal friend of the victim and his keen understanding of the culinary world make him the perfect ‘Gourmet Detective’. His journey is not just about solving a murder. Along the way, he uncovers behind-the-scenes rivalry, deep-seated jealousies, and shocking secrets that turn the world of gourmet food on its head. And still, Henry must navigate the simmering tension and undeniable chemistry with Detective Maggie.

The narrative of Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery is finely interspersed with culinary delights, making it compelling to mystery buffs as well as gourmets. With its intricate plot, the film culminates in a finale that is as unexpected as it is satisfying, flavored with just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.

The film's title itself, "Roux The Day," is a playful pun on the cooking term 'roux', which is a mixture of fat and flour used to thicken sauces. This fun play on words sets the tone for the film, indicating that viewers will experience much more than just a typical whodunnit.

One of the film's distinctive features is the way it uses gourmet cooking and dining as a thematic backdrop for a classic murder mystery. But, even apart from the culinary allure, the story, the ambience, presentation, and the chemistry among the actors make this film remarkably watchable. It's a murder mystery for those who not only seek an intriguing plot but also enjoy gourmet cuisine and the behind-the-scenes intricacies of the food world.

In summation, Roux the Day: A Gourmet Detective Mystery is a compelling tale of intrigue and suspense. It offers an exciting blend of gourmet food, captivating mystery, crime solving, and subtle romantic undertones making it a pleasant watch that should appeal to detective film enthusiasts and foodies alike.