Soul Kitchen (2009)
In Hamburg, German-Greek chef Zinos unknowingly disturbs the peace in his locals-only restaurant by hiring a more talented chef.
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Reviews
The Age of Commercialism
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
The movie really just wants to entertain people.
I would love to have liked this - a restaurant romcom- but none of the characters is likeable. So much arguing, anger and unkindness. Maybe my funnybone has gone missing! If you're feeling sympathetic and in the right mood you will enjoy it. (Only got through 30 mins. 9/16)
Yes, top marks for this astonishing German (yes!) film, that is set in the industrial suburbs of a German city, featuring the beat-up soup kitchen run by the lead in an old factory, who cooks out of packages for local rough-necks. His brother turns up, on parole from prison, and asks for a do-nothing job. That's the beginning of the riot this movie turns into, as the cafe becomes a top attraction, with hordes of dancers, a DJ and a great (very moody) cook supplying gourmet dishes. Sadly, the lead's tall, gorgeous girl-friend's work takes her to Shanghai and he attempts to follow. Meanwhile his "friend", a property developer, cheats his brother out of the restaurant he is minding. It's an action-packed story, completely devoid of violence, with some funny sex: altogether a charming picture that freshens you right up. Strongly recommended.
Like always, Akin creates lovely characters. For a German it is fun to see Bleibtrue as a "typical German immigrant-part-time-criminal-hustler" talking the talk you'll recognize when u walk through Hamburg St. Pauli. Its just that the characters and the movie share the same problem: No deepness at all. Everything remains facile and this is why i never found a way into the movie. The story takes quiet stupid turns (contract lost, swallowing the button, dancing school fills the restaurant) that make the movie more seem like a fairytale (which would be okay if i had the feeling that is what Akin wanted). The humor in the movie is flat and predictable, some scenes id even call cheapest slapstick only kids up to 10 years could laugh at (funeral scene). The cook had a lot of potential, but is way too overdrawn...AND I STILL WONDER WHY THE HELL THERE WAS THIS ORGYSCENE ? ? ? It nearly got me leaving the cinema. What i liked was the soundtrack, the beautiful images of Hamburg and the little unimportant dialogues between certain characters. These were the only moments this movie seemed as "real" to me as Akin movies usually do.I apologise for my English...
Great movie, fast and fresh, the kind of fun the movies are supposed to be.The characters are real and dynamic, the sites are beautiful, interiors and exteriors, although in industrial area, they feel warm and cozy after some time.The action never loses pace.I am trying to find now other movies from the same director and/or lead actor.It is refreshing in a way Guy Ritchie is, you wait for the next movie because you expect the same feeling.