Soul Kitchen (2009)

This is my second review for a film on IMDb. I'm writing only when I like a film very much. And, I'm writing only when I'm inspired to write something original, not just to recount again and again the plot, as do so many here on IMDb... This film is successful in all respects, great script, great cinematography, great everything. The actors, all simply compete against each other by their natural talent. The music is just fantastic. Being an actor myself, I would gladly like to film with Faith Akin, he's simply a guy who knows his job. Several years ago I watched HEAD-ON. Recently I saw also THE CUT, another masterpiece signed Faith Akin, so I know what I'm saying. 10 out of 10.

Yes, top marks for this astonishing German (yes!) film, that is set in the industrial suburbs of a German city, featuring the beat-up soup kitchen run by the lead in an old factory, who cooks out of packages for local rough-necks. His brother turns up, on parole from prison, and asks for a do-nothing job. That's the beginning of the riot this movie turns into, as the cafe becomes a top attraction, with hordes of dancers, a DJ and a great (very moody) cook supplying gourmet dishes. Sadly, the lead's tall, gorgeous girl-friend's work takes her to Shanghai and he attempts to follow. Meanwhile his "friend", a property developer, cheats his brother out of the restaurant he is minding. It's an action-packed story, completely devoid of violence, with some funny sex: altogether a charming picture that freshens you right up. Strongly recommended.

Faith Akin, the director, presents a beautiful Hamburg, creates again diverse and strong characters, in a film that returns him to the genre of comedy, and all of these surrounded with an amazing soundtrack. I enjoyed very much this film, the scenography and music is lovely, I could laugh a lot, which is not very common in the recent Akin films such as Gegen die Wand or The Edge of Heaven, which were exquisite, but in a more dramatic and touching way. This film is somehow a return to the soul of much more than a kitchen. Is a sight into the soul of music, food, purpose in life and people indeed. I highly recommend this film, especially for those who, like me, had a great time seeing Im Juli, some years ago.

You could be excused, if by hearing the title, you'd thought this is yet another "urban" comedy, starring Martin Lawrence or Ice Cube or Queen Latifah. It ain't so. While the title might be misleading (in quite a few ways), the characters in this aren't. You have finely structured people (with a cliché here and there), who seem to have their everyday problems and find a way to live with them.Our main character has quite a few struggles to go through this movie, some of them come "back" at him (no pun intended). And while quite a few things are more than cliché (the brother and what he does towards the end, is borderline believable, even with the setup through the movie), it has quite a few nice touches to it. All in all, a warm comedy, that goes more for the heart than the brain. A nice change of pace by Faith Akin and a movie, whose flaws shouldn't hinder you enjoying it.