Originally this film hit the UK cinemas. And this is one type of film which never would normally make the cinemas except for two special reasons.
First, do not expect a storyline as such. It is just a night in a trendy restaurant, concentrating on the stresses of the job, the variance in customers and how the staff work and cope.
The main character, Tony )Stephen Graham), most likely Britain's best current actor who has been at his peak for years, and is no less so in the kitchen as head chef.
Unfortunately, it is obvious right from the start that although he tries to be a 'Gordon Ramsey' type head chef, that due to personal problems he is not at the top of his game.
He does however, have great actors (both staff and customers), which make this kitchen seem like many other restaurants out there, or offices, shops, care homes etc. In other words, he has a fabulous assistant chef, both experienced and non experienced kitchen staff, hard workers and Shirker's, and the customers range from the fakery polite to the downright rude.
Second the film is one and a half hours of life in the restaurant. What also makes this film amazing is that it is set in one shot. If one of the actors fluffed their lines, the whole thing would have had to be filmed again. But it is so expertly done, you never notice even when you know.
I cannot stop mentioning the acting. Of course Stephen Graham could have carried this by himself, but the fact every member of the cast put in the perfect performance elevated it from TV status to cinema worthy.
You really feel for a lot of the characters, their stress, their team spirit, the pressure. The fact some feel rightly undervalued and that others don't deserve a job there.
I started this by saying it doesn't have a story, but it does have a beginning, middle and end and an obvious conclusion which does not at all take away from the film. Infact it improves it, because you are left waiting for the ending to happen. And when it does happen, you find out a little more than you realised or expected, tho perhaps suspected.
I finished watching this and could not wait to review it, just like I cannot wait to watch it again.
Truly amazing and if this does not get awards which everybody in the film should be proud of, there is no justice in the world.
I have never given a 10 but this is the furst.
First, do not expect a storyline as such. It is just a night in a trendy restaurant, concentrating on the stresses of the job, the variance in customers and how the staff work and cope.
The main character, Tony )Stephen Graham), most likely Britain's best current actor who has been at his peak for years, and is no less so in the kitchen as head chef.
Unfortunately, it is obvious right from the start that although he tries to be a 'Gordon Ramsey' type head chef, that due to personal problems he is not at the top of his game.
He does however, have great actors (both staff and customers), which make this kitchen seem like many other restaurants out there, or offices, shops, care homes etc. In other words, he has a fabulous assistant chef, both experienced and non experienced kitchen staff, hard workers and Shirker's, and the customers range from the fakery polite to the downright rude.
Second the film is one and a half hours of life in the restaurant. What also makes this film amazing is that it is set in one shot. If one of the actors fluffed their lines, the whole thing would have had to be filmed again. But it is so expertly done, you never notice even when you know.
I cannot stop mentioning the acting. Of course Stephen Graham could have carried this by himself, but the fact every member of the cast put in the perfect performance elevated it from TV status to cinema worthy.
You really feel for a lot of the characters, their stress, their team spirit, the pressure. The fact some feel rightly undervalued and that others don't deserve a job there.
I started this by saying it doesn't have a story, but it does have a beginning, middle and end and an obvious conclusion which does not at all take away from the film. Infact it improves it, because you are left waiting for the ending to happen. And when it does happen, you find out a little more than you realised or expected, tho perhaps suspected.
I finished watching this and could not wait to review it, just like I cannot wait to watch it again.
Truly amazing and if this does not get awards which everybody in the film should be proud of, there is no justice in the world.
I have never given a 10 but this is the furst.