Review of Barbecue

Barbecue (2017)
6/10
Skim if you wish
19 August 2017
I'm usually pretty forgiving, but this was slow. Seems like a lot of work to travel and get interviews that were really not that interesting or insightful. Yes, there is commonality for this type of method around the world, we get that, that's why we wanted to see it. There is very little about the ingredients, how they were raised, or seasonings or methods. It's all very generic. Even the colors are muted.

Too matter of fact, too dry, little passion. The acts almost seem mundane, which it probably is for those who do it every day for decades, but it's the job of the director to entice a glimmer in the eye of those being interviewed. Understated would be an understatement. A couple of times there were glimpses of interesting technique but then it would cut away so you couldn't see what was going on.

There also doesn't seem to be any story here... just bits and pieces of things commentary that is rarely engaging. I can't help but think had this been in different hands, it would have been a far more interesting documentary that I might remember later.

I have to agree with the previous reviewer, not craving barbecue and I should be. The trailer is better than the film.
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