La Cocina (aka The Kitchen) immerses viewers into the world of a bustling kitchen, The Grill, in NYC’s Times Square. It’s also an American immigrant story as it opens with a young woman Estela (Anna Diaz) on a ferry to Manhattan she sneaks in through the side door and slyly manages to land a job as an assistant cook.
When $800 cash goes missing from the register, an internal probe adds more pressure to the already stressed-out staff. There’s a testy dynamic between the kitchen staff, and Pedro (Raúl Briones), an undocumented chef with a volatile is what one would call problematic. He often picks fights with fellow staff, especially Max (Spenser Granese) a white chef who often shouts ‘Speak English!’ out of exasperation that most of his colleagues speak Spanish or Arabic. He’s hopelessly in love with waitress Julia (Rooney Mara) who we later find out is pregnant with Pedro’s baby. Briones and Mara have intense chemistry, alas there’s not much depth in their characters to be fully invested in their journey.
Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios directs La Cocina based on a script he co-wrote with Arnold Wesker. This story has so many layers; it goes way beyond just kitchen life. It offers a fascinating look at power and class dynamics, exploring the stark differences in opportunities between people like American-born and educated restaurant manager Luis (Eduardo Olmos) and undocumented immigrant workers. It’s no coincidence that the film kicks off with a chat between Luis and Anna, who symbolize the highest and lowest ranks of the restaurant chain.
The Grill’s owner Rashid (Oded Fehr), dangles the idea of the American dream in front of Pedro as a way to keep him loyal. He often teases him about helping him get legal status, but deep down, we can tell he has no plans to actually make it happen.
Juan Pablo Ramírez’s nimble black-and-white cinematography is both elegant and mind-bending. It perfectly embodies the idea of ‘visceral cinema,’ which refers to films that stir up a sense of anxiety in viewers. La Cocina is the kind of film with such frenetic energy that folks with high blood pressure should proceed with caution. I’m on BP meds and I found myself clutching my heart a few times during the film’s most tense moments.
Tomás Barreiro’s propulsive score intensifies the level of chaos even more, but Ruizpalacios also allows the film to breathe with natural sounds. The rare quiet moment when Pedro and some of his coworkers sit in the back alley chatting about their aspirations and dreams of relocating to the U.S. for a brighter future is a welcome respite from the nonstop craziness. It’s a poignant moment that’s particularly resonant during an election season where immigration is such a hot-button issue.
The entire cast is terrific, with Briones as the standout in a soul-barring, go-for-broke performance, one of the most memorable ones I’ve seen all year. A surprising turn of events involving Julia throws Pedro for a loop, and he goes completely berserk. His extreme, self-destructive behavior is scary to watch but one can’t help but feel for someone who’s reached their breaking point. That insane finale is heartbreaking but hilarious as well. I applaud Ruizpalacios for the meticulous choreography staging the full-throttle kitchen action which spills out to the unsuspecting patrons dining above.
If I have one quibble, is that the 2-hour-19-minute running time is a tad too long and certain aspects feel confusing and superfluous. Cutting it down to less than two hours could make the story just as impactful without dragging on too long. That said, Ruizpalacios’s vibrant direction combined with spot-on performances is a stunning display of filmmaking that left me speechless. It’s an unapologetic nod to all the underpaid, hardworking, but forgotten immigrant workers everywhere.
La Cocina is playing in select US theaters
Have you seen LA COCINA? I’d love to hear what you think!
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FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Yeah, I want to see this. Anything to get away from these past few weeks about elections and politics. I’m fucking tired of it. These next 4 years will SUCK.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, I’ve resolved to remain hopeful and I also do not put my hope in politicians of any party or ideology.
Keeping comments about the movies, I think this film is an unapologetic nod to all the underpaid, hardworking, but forgotten immigrant workers everywhere.
Hell yeah!
Have you seen The Bear? Some critics call this The Bear on steroids and it’s so true, ahah!
Not yet. I haven’t had much time to binge-watch TV shows.
As someone who almost went to culinary school and become a chef, I always have interest in these type of movies or shows. The almost 2 and half hours runtime scares me a bit but I’ll keep a look out for it when it hits streaming.
I think making films under 2 hours is a lost art these days. That said, at least this film has high energy so it’s not boring!
Neat how B&W can be as visceral as color. I’ve also had heart problems off and on the past 3 years. One thing to try is coordinating the breath with heartbeat by feeling/listening to it – a form of manual biofeedback. Idk – just something to try.
Yes absolutely! I think b/w can be just as effective if not more so than full colors, and this one is really beautifully-shot.
Great tip about breathing exercises, I just tend to always be on the move so it’s hard to just be still even for 5 minutes, LOL!
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Sounds like an interesting film to see, and yes, immigration is hot button.
As a matter of fact, the button may be on fire shortly.
I adore black and white, so I look forward to that.
Nice review, thank you!
Hey Resa! Man I am so behind on replying people, sorry!
This is definitely worth a watch, I hope it gets to Toronto soon. B/W movies can be quite striking and this one is extremely well shot.
Cool!
No worries about behind. I am the most haphazard come from behind blogger. Lol.
Sometimes I stumble on a comment that is weeks old.
Well you have ten times the amount of comments so that’s understandable, I have no excuse LOL!
Ha! Hey, I had to go a few blocks from the “Swiftie” arena yesterday. Yes, it was nuts, but I’m so happy for all the fans.
I just love seeing young kids with moms, teen girls and boys and everyone with these friendship bracelets.
They were trading and being friends.
I can put up with he!! traffic for 6 days! I just love all the love!
I sent a new mail. Hope you got it. 2 stupid questions.
Not rushing, just making sure!
Hello! I’ve been so busy I barely had time to even log on my computer. Yeah my hubby left Toronto on Friday early afternoon but he switched from a downtown hotel on Thursday night to one near the airport. He said he saw a bunch of Swifties around his hotel and even some police officers were handing out friendship bracelets, it was pretty cute but I’m sure some people had to put up with all the traffic.
I’m just getting to your email now… so you’ll see a reply shortly. Thanks for your patience! XOXO
Ah! I actually like the area around the airport. There must be some murals in the area just across the hiway from it.
All my to do’s and appointments this week are in the opposite direction from “Swiftieland”.
It’s just too, nuts in that area.
Okay, got your mail. Thank you! I’ll get back to you soon!
No worries about time things take, ever!
We need only worry about work deadlines and emergencies.
XOXO