La Cocina

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La Cocina

R

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2h 19m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

76%

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37 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

La Cocina captures the frenetic energy of the lunch rush at The Grill, a bustling restaurant in Manhattan's Times Square. When money goes missing from the till, suspicion falls on Pedro (Raúl Briones), an undocumented cook who dreams of a better life and is in love with Julia (Rooney Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, the restaurant owner, has promised to help Pedro obtain legal status, but a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that threatens to shut down one of the city's busiest kitchens once and for all. The film is a comic and tragic tribute to the invisible people who keep our restaurants running and our stomachs full, all while chasing an elusive version of the American dream.

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Mark Olsen

Los Angeles Times

Ruizpalacios creates a visual style that continues to reinvent itself right up to the end, crafting an unpredictable feeling that matches the volatile plotting.

Nov 1, 2024

Full Review

Beatrice Loayza

New York Times

Imagine such pressure — and, for many undocumented workers, the knowledge that you won’t be hired anywhere better. But Ruizpalacios diminishes these hard truths with flashy bids at profundity.

Oct 29, 2024

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

“La Cocina” is a phenomenal showcase for Briones, who gives one of the most mesmerizingly multi-faceted performances of the year.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 25, 2024

Full Review

Elsa Fernández-Santos

El Pais (Spain)

The mire is resolved with a final catharsis that comes like a shipwreck that's as spectacular as it is vacuous in its reflection on survival within the American dream. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 16, 2024

Full Review

Rene Sanchez

Cine Sin Fronteras

A frantic tale about the oppressive forces of capitalism, led by Raul Briones’ bold performance. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 14, 2024

Full Review

Alejandro Alemán

El Universal

Where the real flavor is found is in the secondary characters, cooks of all nationalities whose stories reflect the pain, melancholy and sorrow of migrant life. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 11, 2024

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Alejandro E

Siguiendo los pasos del cine indie, la historia nos permite conocer lo que ocurre tras bambalinas en un restaurante, con todo y el estrés que implica ese ambiente, con cierto sabor realista y, de paso, nos muestra la incómoda situación de los inmigrantes. Una de las mejores apuestas del año.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Bernardo D

This thing it’s a fucking masterpiece, and if you don’t feel the same I’m really sorry

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/24

Full Review

Roy J

Good movie, but 30mins too long. Rooney Mara's subplot was totally unnecessary when compared to the overall immigrant theme.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

Rolando R

A very intense movie with incredible cinematography and acting. The kitchen scenes are definitely like “The Bear” on steroids. Yes, cutting it back 20 minutes might have made it even better, but what do you cut? I left thinking “This isn’t a movie, it’s a work of art”.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

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Alonso Ruizpalacios

Director

Raúl Briones

Pedro

Rooney Mara

Julia

Anna Diaz

Estela

Motell Gyn Foster

Nonzo

Laura Gómez

Laura

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La Cocina: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

La Cocina captures the frenetic energy of the lunch rush at The Grill, a bustling restaurant in Manhattan's Times Square. When money goes missing from the till, suspicion falls on Pedro (Raúl Briones), an undocumented cook who dreams of a better life and is in love with Julia (Rooney Mara), an American waitress who cannot commit to a relationship. Rashid, the restaurant owner, has promised to help Pedro obtain legal status, but a shocking revelation about Julia compels Pedro to spiral into an act that threatens to shut down one of the city's busiest kitchens once and for all. The film is a comic and tragic tribute to the invisible people who keep our restaurants running and our stomachs full, all while chasing an elusive version of the American dream.

Director: Alonso Ruizpalacios
Producer: Gerardo Gatica González, Lauren Mann, Ivan Orlic, Ramiro Ruiz
Screenwriter: Alonso Ruizpalacios
Distributor: WILLA
Production Co: Panorama Global, Astrakan Film AB, Filmadora, Fifth Season, Seine Pictures
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Sexual Content|Pervasive Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 2h 19m