Boiling Point

Boiling Point (2021)

A Relentless, Real-Time Descent into Culinary Chaos

★★★★☆

A vibrant, kinetic energy that makes you feel like you've just clocked in for a double shift.

Directed by Philip Barantini, Boiling Point is a relentless workplace thriller shot entirely in one continuous take. The audience is exposed to the high-level stress of an exceptionally bad day at a high-end London restaurant. Trying to hold the fraying edges together is head chef Andy Jones, played by the consistently excellent Stephen Graham, and the restaurant's real heart, co-owner Carly, played with on-edge brilliance by Vinette Robinson.

"Watching Boiling Point legitimately is like clocking in for an hour and a half at a high pace restaurant... the audience can easily forget they are watching a movie."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director: Philip Barantini
• Starring: Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson
• Cinematography: Matthew Lewis (One-take specialist)
• Supporting: Alice Feetham, Jason Flemyng

The Vision

While modern audiences might be tempted to compare this to The Bear, Barantini's vision is more akin to the kinetic urgency of E.R.. The authenticity of the action sets it apart; the performers nail their roles with such precision that it ceases to feel like a documentary and starts to feel like real life. Every quirk and stressor of the service industry is captured in real-time, resulting in a directorial feat that pushes the entire production team to work at the absolute top of their game.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Four Takes Only: The production only had time to attempt the continuous shot four times over two nights. The third take is the one used for the final film.
• Director's Experience: Philip Barantini worked in professional kitchens for over 12 years before becoming a director, which accounts for the film's painful accuracy.
• The Short Film: The feature is actually an expansion of a 2019 short film of the same name, which also starred Stephen Graham and was also shot in a single take.

✅ Pros

• Masterful, high-stakes performance by Stephen Graham.
• Breathtaking one-take cinematography that never feels like a gimmick.
• Utterly authentic depiction of high-pressure hospitality.

❌ Cons

• The stress levels may be genuinely triggering for anyone who has worked in service.
• The relentless pace leaves very little room for traditional character backstory.

🏆 Final Verdict

A technical and emotional triumph. Boiling Point is more than a movie—it’s an immersive experience that perfectly captures the beauty and brutality of the culinary world.

View original review on Letterboxd