La Cocina lasts 2:20 hours with a plot that could have been told in 60 minutes and lacks depth. Shot entirely in black and white, the play-like film takes place in a busy tourist restaurant in New York's Times Square, where mainly illegal immigrants from all over the world make their living.
Over a period of a day, various scenes thrown together with a mix of film elements show the everyday life of those who have little hope: getting ready, stressful preparations in the kitchen, arguments between the workforce, daydreaming during the break, a theft and a relationship between the cook Pedro and the waitress Julia, who wants to abort their baby.
The film has some funny points and some special experimental shots. But unfortunately the stories of the many characters that are presented largely remain untold. Instead, Ruizpalacios repeatedly chooses very flat dialogues and long close-ups that drag on like chewing gum. In addition, the depiction of the relationship between Pedro and Julia is so clichéd that it resembles a Bollywood film.
Overall, the film was boring to watch. If it hadn't been the world premiere at Berlinale film festival, I would have left after 30 minutes.
