Director Bent Hamer's comedy drama Salmer Fra Kjøkkenet (Kitchen Stories) is based on the real-life social experiments conducted in Sweden during the 1950s. In the years following WWII, a research institute sets out to modernize the home kitchen by observing a handful of rural Norwegian bachelors. In the small town of Landstad, middle-aged Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) is one such research subject who regrets ever agreeing to participate in the study. Nevertheless, he is observed by Folke (Tomas
Norström), and the two develop a strange friendship until the observer becomes sick. This causes a problem with Folke's boss (Reine Brynolfsson) and Isak's friend Grant (Bjørn Floberg). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
The droll humour, penned by Hamer with collaborator Jorgen Bergmark, works best at a non-verbal level, when the well-cast Isak and Folke are silently sizing each other up.
One of those rare winning exceptions to the axiom that movies should move, this one shows what advantage can be earned when men of good will sit still together.
What you're left with is a relationship between two men that is untouched by macho posturing or any trace of anxiety -- and a perfect respite from the action flick mentality.
One of the more interesting and charming films I've seen. A lesson of friendship, communication, and the need for human interaction. The movie centers around a research study focusing on the kitchen routines and habits of single men in early 1950's Norway. The researchers are supposed to observe from a high chair in
the corner, watch the men move about their kitchen and then mark it on a chart. They are not supposed to interact or speak to the research subjects. We all know...that will not last. A very touching film that reminds us how two different people can still become friends!
January 10, 2010
George Kiriyama
Super Reviewer
A quirky comedy from Norway about the budding friendship between two men thrown together through a research project regarding the kitchen habits of single men. Slow but with loads of subtle humour. Charming and rather touching.
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