with Danny Aiello, Edoardo Ballerini, Kirk Acevedo, Mike McGlone, Vivian Wu, John Corbett, Polly Draper, Summer Phoenix, Ajay Naidu, Jamie Harris, Sandra Bernhard, Mark Margolis
release US 2.Nov.00; UK 29.Mar.02
00/US 1h46
| Dinner Rush |
|
|
dir Bob Giraldi • scr Brian Kalata, Rick Shaughnessy with Danny Aiello, Edoardo Ballerini, Kirk Acevedo, Mike McGlone, Vivian Wu, John Corbett, Polly Draper, Summer Phoenix, Ajay Naidu, Jamie Harris, Sandra Bernhard, Mark Margolis release US 2.Nov.00; UK 29.Mar.02 00/US 1h46
| |
| Review by Rich Cline |
| Acevedo and Ballerini create some fireworks in the kitchen... |
No surprise that music video veteran Giraldi's film debut is a visual
masterpiece. But it's also a perfectly formed little drama with well-defined
characters, superior acting and a terrific twist in the tale.
It's a busy night at Gigino's, a trendy Italian eatery in New York where
owner Louie (Aiello) is trying to make some big decisions regarding his
primadonna chef son (Ballerini), a cook with a gambling problem (Acevedo), a
vicious young thug (McGlone) and the daughter (Draper) of his recently
murdered partner. Meanwhile colourful customers (Corbett, Bernhard,
Margolis, et al) enjoy the culinary delights, unaware of the serious drama
gurgling downstairs. Or are they as innocent as they seem?The film is so beautifully assembled that it draws us in instantly and keeps us thoroughly engaged with the characters. Natural rhythms of humour, jealousy, ambition and grief flow through the story, set off by Giraldi's impeccable editing, clever and lush camerawork, a lovely score and an expert use of lighting and sound. The large ensemble cast is terrific, and the multi-strand plot is woven coherently together, cleverly building tension while examining the conflict between old and new--both the cuisine and the mob. And the food looks fantastic.
[15--adult themes and situations, language] 7.Nov.00 sliff
awards Audience Choice--St Louis 00
~~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~