El Chef

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.