Boiling Point (I) (2021) User Reviews

Gripping

[chunkylefunga · 8/10 · 29 January 2022]

There isn't a single scene that wasn't captivating.

You really feel like you're watching live footage of a high end restaurant trying to keep everything together on a hectic night.

Vinette Robinson deserves an oscar for her performance. Just outstanding.

Absolute hidden gem that I will absolutely be recommending to others.

Anxiety

[PedroPires90 · 8/10 · 8 March 2022]

Why is the world not talking more about this? What a fantastic film. Sometimes reminded me of Mass (raw acting as credible as if we were seeing real people). Sometimes reminded me of Uncut Gems and Shiva Baby (anxiety inducing, small spaces, chaos, dealing with stupid people, screaming inside).

I'm a fan of how Philip Barantini directed this, this single-shot approach is perfect for this kind of fast paced happening in real time films and it helps to create the anxiety it wants to create. You are there. You are part of the team. In terms of acting, all are on a great level, but let me take a moment for Stephen Graham and Vinette Robinson: both absolutely perfect, flawless! There are great scenes that will stay with me - some not including neither of these two characters - and I'm really curious to see what this director can bring us next.

Remarkable achievement

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 8/10 · 5 January 2022]

Breathtakingly shot in a single take and set entirely within a restaurant, Boiling Point captures the stresses and strains of working in this environment. Stephen Graham leads a brilliant ensemble cast all improvising a skeleton script. Who would have thought a seemingly normal night in a restaurant could provide such drama and tension. A must see 8.5 out of ten. A Q&A with some of the cast, the director and the brilliant director of photography was a nice bonus. They were meant to shoot it 8 times and choose the best of the 8. However, they were filming in March 2020 and they were shut down after the four takes for obvious reasons. A brilliant achievement.

a remarkable one shot take 'chef' movie

[dromasca · 9/10 · 1 October 2021]

'Boiling Point', the second film by English director Philip Barantini will be, I think, one of the sensations of the cinematographic year 2021. It has been presented so far in only a few festivals and will meet with the broader public in cinema halls starting in October. There are in this film, bold in form and sensitive in content, the premises of a love story with the audiences.

'Boiling Point' is filmed in one shot take, i.e in a single long frame. This is not the first film to use this technique that requires intense training and formidable logistics. My experiences with movies like this are mixed. The film considered by many to be a masterpiece of the genre, Aleksandr Sokurov's 'Russian Ark' tired and annoyed me (I apologize to the fans of the director or the film for my blunt opinion). Even '1917' (which cheated a little with the technical process) did not excite me, I did not find the connection between story and technique except at the level of gimmick. On the other side, I was enthusiastic about 'Victoria' by the German director Sebastian Schipper, the description of a tumultuous Berlin night lived by a young Spanish immigrant. I gave it a rare 10/10 rating on IMDB. To a large extent, 'Boiling Point' comes close to this level, and it has helped me understand when one shot take filming works well for me. Life itself, as we live it, is a single take film or, if you will, a series with single-take episodes and sleep breaks. Realistic dramas that happen in real time and in one place or in places connected by the movements of the characters fit the formula perfectly. This is exactly the case with 'Boling Point', which takes place in the kitchen and dining room of a high-end restaurant. After watching for a few minutes the movements of the camera (handled by Matthew Lewis) the story and the characters absorbed me and I forgot (for a while at least) the technical aspects. This is the best sign of success.

Before becoming a director, Philip Barantini was an actor and ... a chef. His previous two professions helped him considerably and contributed to the quality of the film. The director knows perfectly the secrets of cuisine, the organisation of the kitchen and of the services in a good restaurant, and especially the people who work in these institutions at the top of the culinary industry and art. Understanding the environment and knowing the actors helped him select an excellent team, made up of mostly experienced actors, many with dozens of movies in their filmographies, who did not refuse to play supporting roles, some with short screen time, but all significant. Of course, Stephen Graham stands out in the role of Andy, the talented chef who faces during the 90 minutes of the film and of the events on the screen the tough problems in the restaurant and in his personal life. I have been following the evolution of Stephen Graham for some time and in my opinion he has now become one of the best actors in British cinema.

I hope that 'Boiling Point' will enjoy a good promotion. I believe that those who see it will enjoy an original cinematic work, which adds a new dimension to the restaurants and chefs films genre. It may also be that the customer experience and appreciation of the staff when they dine next time at such a top restaurant will be different as well.

Stephen Graham

[danielcereto · 10/10 · 23 March 2022]

Firstly, Stephen Graham is one of the most underrated actors from all time. He is always brilliant, credible, raw, and intense on his job. Here too. He does again an acting masterclass.

Secondly, Boiling point is a little masterpiece filmed in one shot, including an interesting view, great coordination from all the cast and incredible realism to one of a hell night in a famous restaurant.

Last, if you're looking for a little different Stephen Graham's jewel this one is for you. Enjoy.

Technically impressive and atmospherically on the nose, but man cannot live on technical prowess alone, the story lacks length, depth, and meaning

[mickman91-1 · 6/10 · 11 January 2022]

It can be universally agreed that the technical achievement of performing a 90 minute movie in one single shot is impressive and worth an applause. It is like watching a piece of theatre but has the benefit of the viewpoint being able to turn 360 degrees around he restaurant and close ups etc. But in a sense actors perform pieces in one take every single night in all the theatres around the globe.

So then you have to ask how interesting is the actually film / story. It does an excellent job at creating a tension and capturing the atmosphere of the vast majority of commercial working spaces, particularly fast paced ones: that of stress and nervous fervour at making sure everything is done correctly, as well as sinister game playing and tussle and bustle between the working hierachy. There were a few moments where it kind of made my blood boil because it reminds you of terrible times in the working environment when people aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing or people are taking advantage of their positions within the working hierarchy to mistreat lower employees. So this was well done.

But the story otherwise was very thin and slim in depth and meaning. I guess ultimately it is a cautionary tale about working too hard at the expense of other areas of life and of relationships with others. Other than that there is nothing positive that I can take form it or take forward with me in my life, nor much to think about.

A riveting night

[lareval · 9/10 · 1 January 2022]

On a stylish level, this is an absolute stunning experience. To be presented in tracking shot (unbroken and without tricks) sends adrenaline rushes to the brain and it helps to get the right, nerve-wracking tone with the performances.

About the storyline, it has little cracks and not everything is perfect. But the pacing and the energy makes up for all the possibles shortcomings.

All in, a thrilling and compelling experience that demands to be watched even if it is not for everyone.

Hard to watch

[lucyannashford · 6/10 · 2 April 2022]

Very hard viewing!

Impossible not to feel sorry for all of the characters in this film at least once. I'd definitely never want to work in a kitchen and it even made me feel uneasy about eating in restaurants in the future, if there's any truth in this depiction whatsoever.

Not a comfortable Saturday afternoon's viewing. I'd suggest only watching this if you wanted to escape from the problems in your own life for 90 mins!

So close to home

[malpasdaniel · 10/10 · 9 January 2022]

As someone who has worked in both a kitchen and behind the bar in several places, and my dad was a head chef until a few years ago, this hit very close to home and was borderline traumatic.

So my dad was head chef in this restaurant for years and I worked alongside him for a few of those. I can confidently say that the job caused a lot of the problems in my family, and it actually caused him to have a heart attack a few years back and forced him into a career change, which has been nothing but beneficial to us all.

When I worked there, there was crying staff almost daily, people quitting because they couldn't take it anymore, constant arguments between servers/FOH and kitchen staff, slack-offs thinking nothing of leaving their workload to other staff members, and customers who didn't care in the slightest about the people in uniform and had little respect for them.

Hospitality and kitchen work is horrible, even when it has it's spots of light, and I've never seen such an incredible portrayal of the job before. All done in one continuous take, It is such a well done, heartbreaking show of one of the hardest industries and I hope it shows some people some of the things they never think about when they go to a restaurant. Please watch this, and take it as a lesson on what the people working these jobs go through, because it's not at all far from the truth.

A tour de force

[Makkers1 · 29 January 2022]

Remarkably shot in a single take. The plot probably needed a bit more cooking (sorry) but otherwise it was high energy, white knuckle ride on one of the busiest nights of this restaurant. Stephen Graham is one of my favourite actors. You can sense him seething in every scene, fighting the urge to plunge a fish knife into someone's throat. Well done to the cast and crew. Highly recommended.

It's like a symphony of acting

[broman-29429 · 7/10 · 27 January 2022]

This film is like a symphony! The only one that stands out is the way it's filmed, the cinematography is the star here, all the characters are so well described with so little information that you get a great perspective of what they're going thru on this chaotic night. It's nerve breaking, sometimes touching, dynamic and exquisitely performed by all the cast, the main actor, the chef is not very likable but I think that's the way it supposed to be. This film got on my top 10 list of 2021, loved it!

single shot

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 27 December 2021]

It's a hectic night in a London restaurant. Head chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) has been under stressed and failing to maintain standards for the last two months. The health inspector downgrades their rating due to his bad paperwork. His mentor is coming with a food critic. There is conflicts in and out of the kitchen. It is chaotic poetry.

This one shot film has no cuts. It looks like steady handheld camera work for ninety minutes as the camera follows the action. Quite frankly, I didn't realize the no cuts until the thirty minutes. The intensity doesn't slack off so the audience doesn't have to wait for the continuous shot. It pushes the energy and doesn't let go. There are stressful moments which punctuates an already stressful night. The only minor issue is that I didn't really like chef Andy as a character. I would love to follow Carly instead although that would be less dramatic. The flow is natural. There are no dead spots although the extended allergy scene does slow it down. I would move away from the girl to the argument about the cause quicker. It would allow the argument to take place while they are uncertain about the girl's health. Waiters and other kitchen staff would probably have PTSD watching this. This is a really good indie.

Not for me.

[karenblade · 6/10 · 4 February 2022]

No substance but awesome acting. Huge fan of Stephen Graham but I thought the plot was weak. What a fine actor Stephen is though. Its worth a watch for him alone.

Acting far better than the final product

[mugsyagain · 5/10 · 11 January 2022]

Interesting the way it was filmed but ultimately, despite some fine acting performances, this was a bit of a let down. Stephen Graham is his usual brilliant self and there was some fine acting in the supporting cast but in a week I will have forgotten all about it I am afraid!

A masterpiece in acting and cinematography.

[wbafanclub12 · 10/10 · 5 February 2022]

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.

Has a documentary 'fly on the wall' feel

[cathyannemoore-66196 · 10/10 · 20 March 2022]

Anything with Stephen Graham in it is going to be good. This is so well acted and cast, one has to keep reminding oneself it's a movie not a documentary. Graham was outstanding in his performance and Vinette Robinson deserved her BAFTA she was so convincing in her role. As well as acting they all seemed to know what they were doing in the kitchen. My only niggle, and no one else seems to have struggled with this, is that I couldn't quite catch all of the dialogue.

I wanted to like this....... but the story isn't that great

[mgumsley · 6/10 · 24 March 2022]

Like everyone else who loves innovation in movies, the idea of a single shot film was a terrific idea, and after watching Boiling Point, I still agree, but the story wandered here and there, and although the finale was explosive enough, I wouldn't mind betting a lot of restaurants have the same atmosphere after a busy Saturday night. I found myself more intrigued by the technicality of it all, the camera relentlessly trailing one cast member after another, and the layout of the restaurant kitchens and dining area lent itself well to this premise. But the petty obsessions of the general public and even the restaurant staff intruded all the time and took away from the general feel of the film.

Stephen Graham was one of the smaller cast members and really made his presence felt, as did Vinette Jones. The ensemble cast did well as a team and everything felt authentic. I think this is a good idea and there are probably better stories out there which can be told in this setting but using better techniques of pacing and general plotting. At times I felt I was suffering from information overload.

Exceptional

[adrianmorar-19708 · 9/10 · 24 January 2022]

I remain amazed to the fact that all these actors could remain in character for the whole runtime of the film and still make me feel as if these people truly work in that environment. It keeps you engaged and in tension while the camera seamlessly moves across the whole restaurant without taking you out of the story for one second.

Boiling Point

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 17 March 2023]

Boiling Point directed by Philip Barantini was directed in one take. There are no disguised cuts. This is a one shot 90 minutes movie.

Set in a busy upmarket restaurant in London. Chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) exhausted life will fall apart over the course of the night. It starts off with a petty health inspector although he has a few valid criticisms. Andy has started to be slack with his paperwork.

His kitchen staff are short tempered some of them inexperienced. The customers are a nuisance, one of them has a nut allergy. The front of house staff are not following procedures and care too much about social media.

Later his ex boss and financier Alistair Skye (Jason Flemyng) shows up with a food critic. The celebrity chef criticises Andy's food and wants his loan repaid.

To top it all, all those sips from the flask that Andy has, well it's not water.

Boiling Point comes across more like a play because of the way it is set up. At times, I found it was lit too dark, which would not had been an issue if it was shot conventionally.

There are some great performances from the cast who had to be on top if the game. The story was well worn though, you just knew that a nut will get in the food somehow.

An absolute achievement

[jaimemedina-36288 · 10/10 · 1 February 2022]

Wow. What can you say about this movie? It feels so genuine. The tension is brutal. This is a MasterClass in acting, directing, camera work, and writing. The choreography of movement is truly hard to comprehend. The dedication of cast and crew, to a person, cannot be overstated. It is simply a work of art.

Chef knives out.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 30 April 2022]

'Boiling Point (2021)' must have been as stressful for its filmmakers to make as its events are for its characters to experience. This 90-minute feature is presented as one continuous shot and it actually is, avoiding the usual hidden cuts that come with this sort of thing. That instantly makes it an incredibly impressive affair, one that indisputably features a lot of genuine talent both in front of and behind the camera (as well as a helping of luck). Its one-take nature isn't just a gimmick, though; it actively contributes to the flick's increasingly claustrophobic feel and constantly 'slice of life' aesthetic. It almost feels like an observational documentary, which enhances the impact of its social realist drama. It expertly balances a whole restaurant's worth of characters, weaving a dozen stories together into a tactile tapestry depicting just another busy night in a high-class London eatery. The actors all do remarkably well, not only remaining in character but also delivering strong performances (and surely improvising their way through a few flubbed lines). The camera operator manages to keep up with the amazingly detailed choreography. It's rather play-like in nature and could easily work on stage, but that enhances the narrative rather than distract from it (sometimes, play-like pieces can seem too 'talky' for film). For the most part, it maintains a balance between realism and drama, delivering an experience that almost always feels true to life. Of course, it slightly exaggerates certain aspects, but it only does so in order to ratchet up the tension and explore some devastating reveals. A couple of these exaggerated elements do take away from the believability of the story, reminding you that you're actually watching a film, but this is likely only because the rest of the picture is so grounded and compelling. In particular, there are a couple of monologues that feel distinctly like movie moments, and the ending itself actually undercuts much of the story's other successes (it kind of feels like a cop out). These problems don't ruin the piece, though. Technically, it's nothing short of a triumph. It's also constantly enjoyable in its own way, keeping you invested in its various characters and as close to the edge of your seat as possible. It's a palpable and propulsive piece that impresses, entertains and doesn't even come close to overstaying its welcome.

A tension riddled restaurant thriller

[eddie_baggins · 8/10 · 19 December 2021]

You wouldn't think a film set in a kitchen over one fateful night would be the stuff of white knuckle tension but in adapting their short film of the same name for a feature length affair, director Philip Barantini and his star Stephen Graham have crafted one of 2021's most sweat inducing rides that is a technical accomplishment as well as a storytelling one, that is sure to make you reevaluate the life of busy kitchen/restaurant.

Filmed in one long continuous take that only ratchets up the uneasy vibes and hectic nature of chef Andy Jones and his restaurants staff workload, Boiling Point never lets up from the moment we and Andy first walk through the door of his establishment and confront a health inspector that sets up a busy night in the worst way possible that will bring everything to a head in a life changing way as the night goes on.

On a hot streak at the moment with 2021 giving him some of his most notable roles yet in the likes of underrated TV shows The North Water and Time and memorable Covid-19 themed TV movie Help, Stephen Graham is a revelation here as Andy with the well liked performer bringing his famed intensity and vulnerability to the flawed chef who is clearly not in a good state personally or professionally as he tries to keep his head above water with mounting problems weighing him down every chance they get.

A clear standout in the acting stakes, everyone involved in Boiling Point gives it a good go even if because of the nature of these one take films you do sometimes feel like reactions or moments are slightly off with the ensemble unable to request a simple retake on their scenes but as a whole, Barantini and his cast and crew have crafted a far above average TV film that pushes itself to achieve something great rather than take the easy options it could've easily taken.

Sticking to its guns and offering an unflattering yet no doubt honest depiction of modern day chef work, restaurant management and the pressures of work life many face on a day to day basis, Boiling Point might not exactly be feel good material but it's a thrilling exercise nonetheless.

Final Say -

Offering an unrelenting viewing experience that's anchored by the always great Stephen Graham, Boiling Point is a sizzling dramatic thriller that offers a fascinating insight to the restaurant sub-culture.

4 water bottles out of 5

Check out Jordan and Eddie for more reviews.

A little undercooked

[radhrh · 6/10 · 26 November 2021]

An ensemble cast movie shot in a fly on the wall style following the staff at a Liverpool restaurant on a busy night.

This is familiar territory given TV shows like "Devil's kitchen" and "Restaurant hell" so we are all familiar with people losing their minds over undercooked lamb but even so this movie lays it on a bit too thick.

There are also several subplots which don't really come to anything, like the washer upper nipping out the back to buy some drugs or the waiter arranging to get a group of American women into an exclusive nightclub. Why? What did those scenes add to the movie? This isn't a long movie so such scenes might just be filler.

There are also technical things which were just jarringly wrong, like the head chef tasting several spoons full of some kind of cake mix using the same spoon each time or delivering an expensive bottle of wine to a table already opened or the way non of the "chefs" knew how to hold a kitchen knife correctly.

The ending is unsatisfactory, it felt rushed as if the filmmakers needed to be off location in ten minutes so just shot whatever to try to tie things up but it just leaves the audience without any resolution. There is a lot more of this story to tell, in fact the previous 90 minutes were only a prelude.

The movie opens with an inspection of the kitchen where the inspector knocks the restaurant to a 3 star from a five. I feel the same way about the movie.

A Solid Effort, Just Lacking a Bit

[worshipbeforeandafter · 5/10 · 18 December 2022]

Boiling Point was good but ultimately it felt incomplete.

As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "if I wanted a long, boring story with no point to it, I have my life".

I think movies generally need some sort of resolution, I don't have to like the resolution but there should've been more there in Boiling Point.

Characters I wanted to care about and see more of only really get a scene or two, I also think they could've gone further with Stephen Graham's character.

But phenomenal camera work, doing it all in one take, that was quite enjoyable. And generally great performances by the cast.

It just left me wanting more.

Serving Up A Single Shot Of Excellence

[mavis_gary_mavis · 8/10 · 5 January 2022]

This is a compelling single shot drama set on a busy night in a high-end restaurant. The "oner" never feels like a gimmick here - especially as it was done for real and not stitched together (according to IMDB trivia the filmmakers used take 3 of 4) - making the continuous shot an immersive experience. Although the plot is relatively low-key, the performances are fantastic and real, led by the always watchable Stephen Graham. This is a great slice of life, funny and sad, and if nothing else a nice reminder: hell might be other people, but there's none worse than a customer acting like a jerk.