rooprect In 1985, we were hit with the cinematic experience known as "Brazil" - a dark social satire like something George Orwell might've made if he were a comedian. Films like "Brazil" are characterized by thick irony surrounding a subtle satire. Some aspect of society is ridiculed through extremely bizarre circumstances that none of the characters seem to recognize as bizarre.Here's an example from "Kitchen Stories". A man is sitting in his kitchen baiting mousetraps with cheese. In the corner of the room sitting in a ludicrously high chair (giving its occupant the look of an overgrown toddler), a man in a suit sits watching and taking notes. Mousetrap man is doing his best to ignore the man in the chair. Tension is so thick you can choke on it. Then, just as mousetrap man baits the last trap....... (I won't ruin the gag).Of course you're probably reading this thinking "what's funny about that?" but that's the point: the humor defies logic. It must be seen to be understood. Like the scene in "Brazil" where two office workers are passive-aggressively fighting over a desk that they share through a wall, it's just something you have to see.While "Kitchen Stories" isn't as nightmarishly disturbing as "Brazil", it definitely exists in the same sort of alternate reality, somewhere between Franz Kafka (The Metamorphosis) and Leslie Nielsen (Airplane!).The plot is one of the most original ideas I've ever seen: Sometime in the 1950s, a kitchen appliance company conducts a study whereby single men are observed by men in suits who sit in high chairs. The biggest conflict is that the observers and subjects are not allowed to communicate or interact in any way, even though they are to spend months sharing a cramped kitchen.The sheer bizarreness of this setup had me howling for the first 30 minutes, but as the film unfolds and characters develop, we are drawn in on a much deeper level to the human story being told.That's probably all you need to know about the movie; the rest is for you to experience. So I'll just wrap up by giving you, as promised, a short list of movies I've seen that share this odd "Brazil"lian flavor. "The Visioneers (2008)" about people spontaneously combusting from stress, "In the Land of Milk and Money (2004)" about all the mothers in a suburban town going psycho, "The Firemen's Ball" (1967) Milos Forman's early socio-political satire set at a town festival, and I'll throw in the oddball satire that probably started them all, Orson Welles' "The Trial (1962)"."Kitchen Stories" is the tamest of the bunch, quiet and charming, somewhat realistic but every bit as bizarre as anything you've ever seen.

bandw You are not likely ever to see anything like this coming out of Hollywood, in fact you are not likely to see anything like it period. This one is cause for celebration of small independent films. Reading the plot line, "Swedish company goes to Norway to study the kitchen habits of bachelors with the goal of designing the ideally efficient kitchen," does not inspire one to rush to see this. But, score one for the IMDb commentators whose positive reviews did encourage me to see it.Much territory is covered in this quiet movie. First there is the satirical observations on the modern passion to analyze and standardize. The bachelor under observation here, Isak, proves the foolishness of the standardization effort - he doesn't even cook in his kitchen. The observer assigned to Isak, Folke, starts out as a fastidious company man, but his time with Isak changes him, as well as Isak. The rule that the observer and observed are not to talk is ultimately breached - the taciturn Norwegian bachelor farmer and the lonely company man give proof to the fact that we humans are social animals. Through friendships we become stronger and more authentic. But, as noted here, newly formed friendships can disturb existing relationships and provoke jealousies.The rigidity of corporate management structures comes in for some lampooning and the whole credibility of any survey is brought into question. There is a sort of social Heisenberg uncertainty principle in play - the acts of the surveyor influence the responses of the surveyed.This is a truly one of a kind story, uniquely realized with subtle humor, wry observations, and endearing characters.

lysenko58 There are so many layers to this clever, funny and moving film. One of those that stays in your head for days. No violence, only a hint of sex, hardly a voice raised in anger and so many emotions expressed with hardly a word being spoken. If you find it a bit slow at first, stay with it and soon you'll be smiling at this image of a gentler, more peaceful and happier time. This is clever writing, directing and acting at its best. It's one of those movies you want to own as it throws up something different each viewing. The "frisson" between neighbours, generosity versus selfishness, a scientific view of life compared to a natural one are all carefully explored. If you like John Woo, leave this one but if you like grown up movies, see it soon.

stellarbiz I love movies like this... thought-provoking, involving, and then surprisingly funny! Hurrah to the makers who know there are some of us "out there" who enjoy intelligently funny movies! It may take time for us to understand what is going on, or all the nuances of them, but once we "get it"... it's great! Don't be put off by foreign films or subtitled films, great humor is universal, and the great thing about seeing it "at home" is that you can "rewind" to get all the dialog. While there's not a whole LOT of dialog in this movie, it's important. Once you see it you'll want to see it again to understand and enjoy the many layers of humor and interest, too! To think it's based on real life makes it even more humorous! SEE IT... SEE IT... SEE IT!