After losing her arm in a car accident, a prodigious but reckless chef reconciles with her ill father, who encourages her to seek redemption and forgiveness.

>>Emotionally she is disabled and only by becoming physically disabled does she become emotionally able.

Bingo!? Spot on!

And if the dad divorced his mother for her drug abuse, then shouldn't he refuse to take his daughter in for the same reason in Act 2.? She's turned out to be no better than her mother.

Which would intensify the emotional catharsis of his Act 3 reversal and act of reconciliation.

>>Emotionally she is disabled and only by becoming physically disabled does she become emotionally able.

Bingo!? Spot on!

And if the dad divorced his mother for her drug abuse, then shouldn't he refuse to take his daughter in for the same reason in Act 2.? She's turned out to be no better than her mother.

Which would intensify the emotional catharsis of his Act 3 reversal and act of reconciliation.

I agree with mikepdley85.? Introduce her at the top of her game, the peak of her career.? And arrogant and difficult to work with.? She's know how to cook, but not how deal with mere humans who? "crippled" by an inability to perform up to her standards. (Thus establishing the contrast? for the 3rd Act redemptive solution.)

And then because of reckless hubris...

About the 3rd Act:? It seems to me that it would be a more dramatically effective reconciliation if she's not the beneficiary of his will.? Because the father doesn't die? Rather he remains alive and? stakes her.? He demonstrates his love for her and his faith in her talent by cashing out the last of his IRA savings.? But that it isn't enough. for her to start anew.? So he mortgages his home.? In the closing scene, she serves him his favorite dish and he raises a toast to her recovery and their reconciliation.? (Bringing closure to a backstory issue:? he's never dined in one of her restaurants before.)

fwiw