Boiling Point is an interesting addition to the ever expanding cooking show menu. The movie is a combination of many popular reality shows. Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) is a head chef who receives a surprise visit at his London restaurant from a health and safety inspector. He has to use all facets of his personality to make sure his staff and customers are happy while making sure everything is up to code.
Workplace dramas are so popular because of their relatability. A person may not have ever worked in a restaurant, but they understand the pressures of working with a demanding boss or the frustrations of being a new employee. Boiling Point turns up the heat by doing everything in one take. This gives the feel of one of those days at work that not only never end, they keep getting worse.
This puts the audience into the thick of things while also increasing the tension. There are a range of emotions in Boiling Point: anger, exhilaration, and relief are all seen in grand displays. But through it all is a sense of impending dread. Things become increasingly hectic and it is not long before the audience begins to wonder how long the film can keep up its chaotic pace. The answer is longer than you think, but not the entire time. As Boiling Point pushes forward, it loses some of the wild edge that makes it so frantic.
It never stops being engaging; this is a movie that rewards viewers for staying alert. Instead, Boiling Point starts to reach a level of scripted melodrama that is akin to less exciting films that use cooking as a backdrop. It is a gradual a disappointing change. Thankfully, things pick up again leading to a tremendous finale.
Boiling Point comes to theaters November 19
You must be logged in to post a comment Login