La Cocina

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MB C Filmed in stark black and white, La Cocina captures the chaos of a Manhattan restaurant kitchen as a microcosm of class struggle and personal collapse.....The first half crackles with raw energy and realism, but the film loses focus when it sidelines Estela’s story for chef Pedro’s melodrama.... Strong performances and bold direction make it compelling, though its imbalance keeps it from fully satisfying.... Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/16/25 Full Review Dani G Excellent piece of work in all aspects. Very entertaining and original film, one of those that flies under the radar inexplicably Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review florencia L It has a nice camera and a good performance; nevertheless, it is a very ambitious movie, with too many important topics that are not well explored but too dramatised, losing their importance. Reality is hard enough as it is. Firstly, the restaurant and service. The working conditions in the kitchen, which are unique to that line of work, to the level of exploitation, where staff burnout is normalised and expected. The complexity of the relationship between the couple, their choices, and different cultural expressions and understanding of life is not explored enough to create a connection with the characters. Most importantly, the systematic and stereotypical treatment and opportunities towards immigrants (even with legal papers). These are all massive topics and probably too big to grasp in just one movie. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/28/25 Full Review Wayne M La Cocina is a propulsive, highly energised film that is gripping and thrilling at various times. It captures beautifully working in the kitchen of a large restaurant with skill and devotion. Made by Mexican filmmaker Alonzo Ruizpalacios, the film is set in a large tourist destination restaurant in Times Square, New York named The Grill. There we follow both back of house and front of house staff as they battle each other over the course of a day. Pedro is a central character, a fiery chef who is in a relationship with waitress Julia. When money goes missing from the previous day's take tensions rise between management and staff. Many of the staff are illegal immigrants too, so there is underlying uncertainty through out. This superb film is full of tension and explosive behaviour. It's chaotic and hectic and often thrilling. Raul Briones is a wonder as the hotheaded Pedro, whilst Rooney Mara adds class to the film as well. There is a real life force to this ambitious and driven film. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/23/25 Full Review Audience Member Like a gourmet dish, La Cocina is layered with nuanced flavours. It’s rich and fulfilling, with unexpected sweetness and bite. You might walk away from a great meal groaning and feeling a bit groggy – with La Cocina, it’s the opposite. It’s a clear-eyed and modern story, one that feels super tapped into today’s economic and social fabric. And while it makes some heavy points, it doesn’t drift away from entertaining us. Read our full take on La Cocina at good.film: good.film/guide/la-cocina-is-the-mouthwatering-new-kitchen-drama-tackling-exploitation Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/14/25 Full Review Richard E Better than Dune 2. Nice focus work. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/05/25 Full Review Read all reviews

La Cocina

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