Loved the conceit and possibility... but imagine West Side Story performed by high school kids in your family set in a kitchen, intent upon making a profound point that nobody's ever made about the story-without all the pesky music. You only go if you have to. The direction, script, and acting all fall short though much of the photography is beautiful and compelling. Audiences will definitely feel the hustle, bustle, oppression, and stress of a busy NYC restaurant kitchen. But after an hour and fifteen minutes of La Cocina, the most depressing part of it all is knowing there's sixty minutes more.