Helena Bonhan Carter and Freddy Highmore in a scene from ‘Toast.’ (Photo Courtesy of BBC Films)

Based on the life of British culinary personality, Nigel Slater, “Toast” is an enthralling dark comedy that takes a trip through one chef’s troubled upbringing through the most relatable medium possible — food.

Growing up in a household where canned meats and vegetables were considered a fine meal, the young Nigel Slater finds himself in a chef’s version of hell.

The first half of “Toast” follows the young Slater as he pushes his asthma-riddled mother to extend her cooking abilities.

The budding chef tries everything to make his mom a better cook, but in the end, the family always falls back on one food: toast.

Nigel’s mother plays a key role in his life. In fact, the first half of the movie paints a beautiful story of the two’s relationship that is cut short when Nigel’s mother loses her battle with chronic asthma.

After his mother’s passing, Nigels father moves him and his son to a charming cottage in the English countryside, only after running away with his mistress Mrs. Potter, played by Helena Bonham Carter.

Mrs. Potter is everything that Nigel’s mother wasn’t; she’s fun, she drinks, she goes out, and most importantly, she’s a brilliant cook.

Nigel, who is now well into high school, starts to find his niche in life as he thrives as a young cook. Mrs. Potter takes notice and from there, the two wage in a baking battle to impress Nigel’s father.

‘Toast’ uses well-placed montages to move the story along.

From this story arc, Nigel grows as a chef and ultimately re-creates Mrs. Potter’s famous recipe for her notorious lemon meringue pie that won over Nigel’s father.

Bonham Carter’s turn as Mrs. Potter is fiery and genuine as she put her entire being into every pie, gelatin mold and pork chop she makes.

Eventually, Nigel’s father succumbs to the fatty food he was being forced to eat by the competing cooks and dies of a heart attack.

Freddy Highmore, who plays Slater in the film, is convincing as the young cook. “Toast” is also helped by the brilliant direction of British filmmaker S.J. Clarkson.

Clarkson takes the cleverly adapted screenplay and transforms it into a surprisingly light movie that could have easily been bogged down by heavy ho-hum.

With beautiful sets, clever storytelling, and impressive acting,

“Toast” just like the food from which it borrows its name, is a simple but impressive feat that deserves to be devoured by audiences everywhere.

‘Toast’ is currently playing at Dallas’ Angelika Theater.