La Cocina (15) |Close-Up Film Review
Dir: Alonso Ruizpalacios US, 2024, 122mins.
Cast: Raul Briones, Rooney Mara, Anna Diaz
Review by Carlie Newman
The films location is moved from London to New York and a very busy restaurant, The Grill, just off Times Square . Filmed dramatically in black and white, director Alonso Ruizpalacios gives us a fast moving very active-often violent-story around undocumented immigrants in the USA.
The main character is Pedro played by Raul Briones. He is quick to anger and has volatile relationships with the other workers. He is coupled with Julia.(Rooney Mara) , a waitress. Julia is pregnant and wants an abortion but, but Pedro is not at all keen on this. When $800 goes missing it is linked to Pedro as that is the cost of an illegal abortion.
There are many emotional scenes :- Pedro and his aggressive behaviour, arguments between Pedro and Julia, fighting with Pedro a s lead aggressor and the domination of the head chef as he roles over th kitchen. The sometimes violent atmosphere is witnessed on how first day of work by new employee, Estela (Anna Diaz). Ruizpalacios captures the hustle and bustle of the Restaurant out front as as well as what is happening in the back.
Occasionally, the film breaks out into colour and there are surprises all the way through. Some tender moments breakthrough mainly between Julia and Pedro, but also laughter between the staff during their moments of rest . The film glimpses the lives of those without status and without security , mainly invisible to most New Yorkers and tourists. As the reflection on Donald Trump‘s America it’s the right time to present us with this excellent film.
Out now.
