Spinning Plates

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Spinning Plates

2013

1h 35m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The stories of three restaurants and the people behind them reveal how food draws families and communities together.

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Adam Nayman

Globe and Mail

Yet another smoothly produced doc for the foodie set.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 6, 2013

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Linda Barnard

Toronto Star

Plays to sentiment in its second half but you can't help but admire the tenacity of these people, who have been tested repeatedly in almost Biblical fashion, yet come out swinging.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 5, 2013

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Moira MacDonald

Seattle Times

Though these stories have little to do with each other, all are gripping, and you watch the last third of "Spinning Plates" rapt.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 14, 2013

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Steve Cruz

OUT FRONT Magazine (Denver)

A great looking, very nearly aromatic documentary.

May 9, 2023

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Unlike the surface approach of the Food Network, this movie uncovers the humanity of the back of the house and does so in a deliberate and interesting way.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 1, 2021

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Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

Spinning Plates can sometimes feel like it's spinning its wheels, but its truly fascinating subjects and their moving stories will send you home happy (and hungry.)

Rated: 7.7

Apr 10, 2019

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David F

This is a great documentary for foodies. It profiles three restaurants: Alinea, a Chicago restaurant with an outstanding reputation for fine dining, Breitbach's Country Dining, a very old, family owned restaurant in small town Iowa, and La Cocina de Gabby, a Mexican restaurant in Arizona. The film shows the struggles and the satisfactions of operating a restaurant from a variety of perspectives and while it doesn’t get too deep in the weeds as far as cuisine, cooking, finances, or other practical details, it does provide a nice overview of each restaurant that allows the viewer to see what the history and the operations of a restaurant can be.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

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Audience Member

8/13/16 Sundance Doc Club Three fascinating stories about three people with the same dreams and passion but totally different environments and backgrounds. Family, hard work and a love of profession comes through the triumphs and tragedies they all experienced. You root for them all.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

"EMOTIONAL | EXHILARATING | TOUCHING | STRUGGLE | SURVIVAL" (85-out-of-100)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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jonathan g

Documentary of 3 unrelated (and hard to juxtapose) restaurant owners and the lives of their kitchen... and families. Interesting to watch and "root" for the families / restaurants.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Brilliant story. Highly recommended

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

Spinning Plates is a moving documentary about the human element and personality infused in the preparation and service of food. It delves into food as a way of life, a way of expression, and as a community builder. It's genuine, personal and a great watch for foodies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Joseph Levy

Director

Grant Achatz

Actor

Thomas Keller

Actor

Joseph Levy

Writer

Phil Rosenthal

Executive Producer

Sim Sarna

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

The stories of three restaurants and the people behind them reveal how food draws families and communities together.

Director: Joseph Levy
Producer: Miranda Bailey, Matthew Leutwyler, Joseph Levy, Jacqueline Lesko
Screenwriter: Joseph Levy
Distributor: Inception Media Group, The Film Arcade
Production Co: Ambush Entertainment
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 25, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $109.8K
Runtime: 1h 35m

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