Wolfgang (2021 film)

Wolfgang
Official poster
Directed byDavid Gelb
Written byBrian McGinn
Produced by
  • David Gelb
  • Jason Sterman
  • Brian McGinn
StarringWolfgang Puck
CinematographyWill Basanta
Edited by
  • Arielle Zakowski
  • Brad Grossman
Music byStenfert Charles
Production
company
  • Supper Club
Distributed byDisney+
Release dates
  • June 12, 2021 (2021-06-12) (Tribeca)
  • June 25, 2021 (2021-06-25) (United States)
Running time
78 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Wolfgang is a 2021 American documentary film, directed and produced by David Gelb. It follows the life and career of chef Wolfgang Puck.

It had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021. It was released on June 25, 2021, by Disney+. The film was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023.[2]

Synopsis

The movie follows the life and career of chef Wolfgang Puck. Beginning with his childhood in Austria, his culinary training in France, and his move to the United States, where he became a prominent figure in the development of California cuisine.[3]

The documentary traces the opening and success of his restaurant Spago, which helped establish his reputation in Los Angeles, and examines his expansion into a global restaurant and catering enterprise. It also covers his long-running role catering the Academy Awards Governors Ball.[3]

Through archival footage and interviews with family members, colleagues, and industry figures he influenced including Mike Ovitz, Evan Funke, and Ruth Reichl, the film presents an overview of his career, personal history, and influence on the American dining scene.[4]

Production

In October 2019, it was announced David Gelb would direct and produce a documentary revolving around the life of chef Wolfgang Puck, with Disney+ set to distribute.[5]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 12, 2021.[6] It was released on June 25, 2021.[7][8]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the documentary holds an approval rating of 86% based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[9]

Jason Bailey of The New York Times found the film very interesting for depicting Wolfgang Puck's rise to fame and his impact on culinary arts, praised David Gelb's direction, claiming it gives an agreeable photography of the meals depicted across the documentary film, but declared that the movie focuses too much on Wolfgang's achievements and not enough on his personal life.[10] John Serba of Decider found that the documentary manages to provide a genuine portrait of Wolfgang's life across his achievements and his regrets, claiming it gives a human touch on the businessman.[11] Jennifer Green of Common Sense Media rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, complimented the educational value of the movie, stating it manages to depict some of the challenges encountered when being a chef and running a restaurant, and praised the positive messages and role models, claiming the film promotes self-assurance, integrity, and honesty.[12] Odie Henderson of RogerEbert.com rated the film 2,5 out of 4 stars and praised Will Basanta's cinematography, stating it manages to provide a satisfying aesthetic through his shots, while claiming the film successfully depicts Wolfgang as a famous chef and self-made man, but found that the documentary film focuses too much on business and not enough on Wolfgang's personal life.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Wolfgang". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (May 19, 2023). "Disney will remove over 50 shows from Disney Plus and Hulu this month". The Verge. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "New Documentary 'Wolfgang' Explores the Life of Legendary Chef Wolfgang Puck". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  4. ^ Saperstein, Pat (June 12, 2021). "How the Wolfgang Puck Documentary Reveals the Man Behind the Restaurant Empire". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  5. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 18, 2019). "Disney+ Revives 'People & Places', Adds Mickey Mouse And Wolfgang Puck Documentaries To Growing Nonfiction Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "Announcing The Feature Film Lineup For Tribeca 2021". Tribeca Film Festival. April 20, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Durham, Madison (May 28, 2021). "There's a new documentary on Wolfgang Puck coming to Disney Plus". USA Today. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  8. ^ "Disney+ Premiere of Feature Documentary "Wolfgang" Set for June 25". The Futon Critic. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  9. ^ "WOLFGANG". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  10. ^ Bailey, Jason (June 25, 2021). "'Wolfgang' Review: Light as a Soufflé, and About as Substantial". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  11. ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Wolfgang' on Disney+, a Mostly Fluffy Biography of First-Ever Celeb Chef Wolfgang Puck". Decider. June 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Wolfgang Movie Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. ^ Henderson, Odie. "Wolfgang movie review & film summary (2021) | Roger Ebert". rogerebert.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
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