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Loneliness KITCHEN STORIES (Norway, 2003): Written, directed and produced by Bent Hamer, in co-operation with Jorgen Bergmark. Cinematography, Philip Ogaard. Lighting, Knut Haraldsen. Editor, Pal Gengenbach. Sound, Morten Solum. Production design, Billy Johansson. Costumes, Anders Lunde. Music, Hans Matöhisen. Starring Joachim Calmeyer and Tomas Norstom, with Bjorn Floberg and Reine Brynolfsson. IFC Films, 2003. Not rated. 91 minutes.
This leisurely paced, observant film reminds me of the Cold War comedies that slipped under the Iron Curtain to be seen and adored in the West during the 1960s. My favorite, which I did not see until the late 1970s, was Milos Forman's early short film, The Firemen's Ball (Czechoslovakia, 1968). Set in a Czech town in the late 1960s where the local firemen are celebrating a retirement and striving to hold a local beauty contest, the film takes a lingering look at the foibles of ordinary folks caught in the wheels of inane social engineering. Like Forman's film, Bent Hamer's Kitchen Stories is funny because it turns a similar dry eye to the observation of a ludicrous, fictional Swedish research project on the kitchen habits of Norweigan bachelors. Inspired by a truly boring documentary on Swedish motion studies of housewives in the kitchen, Kitchen Stories begins with the sight gag of a small caravan of pastel Swedish sedans pulling strange little oval house trailers across the border into Norway. They congregate in the rural farming area around Landstad, where there is a surplus of single men. (I think the surplus itself is a joke, but I'm not sure.) The only background information that might be needed to enjoy this droll film is a little history. During WWII, Sweden took no part in the war, while also-neutral Norway resisted Nazi Germany and paid for it during an unpleasant occupation that lasted from 1940-45. Also, in the post-war period, home science was actually a big deal in Sweden. Turns out some local Landstad bachelor farmers have agreed to allow researchers into their homes to tally every move they make in the kitchen, day or night. They cannot refuse to let them in, nor can the efficiency experts talk or interact with their subjects in any way. But already Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) is having second thoughts. He misunderstood the terms of his agreement and thought he would receive a real horse — his beloved old horse is dying — for his participation in the project. So when Folke (Tomas Norstrom) drives his car and trailer into the farmyard on a blustery, late winter day, Isak leaves the door unlocked. But when he discovers a wooden toy horse on his doorstep, Isak drops out of sight for several days. The only way Folke knows Isak is in the house is that Isak's tractor-driving neighbor, Grant (Bjorn Floberg) comes by to see him nearly every day. The two men are friends, but they don't talk to each other. These taciturn men may be comfortable with the silence between them, but Folke has to compensate by playing Swedish pop music in his cozy trailer. Folke also receives care packages from a doting elderly aunt that include his favorite food and drink, while Isak doesn't eat anything in the kitchen, and when he does, he turns off the lights so Folke can't watch. Folke complains to his superior in the agency, Malmberg (Reine Brynolfsson), that Isak rarely uses the kitchen and asks to be given a new assignment. Malmberg will have none of it, so Folke is stuck. Nothing much happens for the first third of the film, but gradually the distant relationship — Folke sits on a very high chair in the kitchen above Isak — thaws. Tentative friendship between them does not suit Grant, however, and when the men test, then plunge into, the waters of friendship, he unhappily watches them through the kitchen window, feeling left out and displaced. Juxtaposed acts of observing and being observed reiterate the idea that when we take the time to notice those around us — our neighbor, for example — we learn more about ourselves. The virtues of a quiet film such as Kitchen Stories come as slowly as sap rises in the spring. But before the film is done, I think you will be touched and warmed by the way two lonely people become happier because they have communicated and shared their lives with each other. I was. Layered and lovingly complicated below its uneventful surface, Kitchen Stories opens Friday at the Bijou.
Fight Club: Directed by David Fincher (Seven), this controversial film is based on Portlander Chuck Palahniuk's Oregon Book Award winning, explosive novel about young men fighting each other in no-rules secret fight clubs. Movie stars Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter in a screenplay by Jim Uhls. Definitely not for the violence-adverse. R. Latenite Bijou. Fifty First Dates: Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in a romance with a catch: she has no short-term memory recall, so she forgets him every night. Also stars Rob Schneider, Sean Astin and Dan Aykroyd. Directed by Peter Segal. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Kitchen Stories: Directed by Bent Hamer. In post-war Sweden it was discovered that every year, while preparing her family meals, an average housewife walks the equivalent number of miles as the distance between Stockholm and Congo. So the Home Research Institute sent out eighteen observers to a rural district of Norway to map out the kitchen routines of single men. This film turns the observation into an exploration of loneliness and friendship. See review this issue. Laws of Attraction: Julianne Moore and Pierce Brosnan play high-strung New York divorce attorneys who square off with their famous clients (Parker Posey and Michael Sheen) during a nasty divorce, and fall in love. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. The Passion of Christ (2004): Mel Gibson film opens amid charges (denied) of anti-Semitism. A..O. Scott of The New York Times writes, "'The Passion of the Christ' is so relentlessly focused on the savagery of Jesus' final hours that this film seems to arise less from love than from wrath, and to succeed more in assaulting the spirit than in uplifting it." Others call the graphic torture unwatchable. R. Movies 12. Thelonious Monk — Straight No Chaser (1989): Directed by Charlotte Zwerin. A documentary about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius. PG-13. Bijou Latenite. Films open the Friday following EW publication date unless otherwise noted. See archived reviews at www.eugeneweekly.com
CONTINUING: Big Fish: Tim Burton's film about a son (Billy Crudup) who tries to figure out his father's (Albert Finney) life through the wild stories he's told. Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman and Steve Buscemi co-star. Truly wonderful film; highest recommendations. Academy Award nom for original score. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Bon Voyage: Jean-Paul Rappeneau directs great ensemble cast including Isabelle Adjani, Gerard Depardieu, Viginie Ledoyen and Gregori Derangere in satire set on the eve of WWII. Highly recommended. PG-13. Bijou. Online archives. Breaking All the Rules: When his fiancée dumps him, Jamie Foxx writes a "how to" book on dumping, which becomes a best seller. Also with Morris Chestnut and Gabrielle Union. PG-13. Cinemark. Cheaper by the Dozen: Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt play the parents of 12 children, including Piper Perabo, Hilary Duff and Tom Welling. Directed by Shawn Levy. PG. Movies 12. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen: Stars Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday). Welsh director Sara Sugarman's first movie. PG. Movies 12. Envy: Ben Stiller, Jack Black star in Barry Levinson's film about kooky inventor (Black), who suddenly becomes wealthy from a spray that makes dog poop disappear. Neighbor (Stiller) grows murderously envious. Christopher Walken co-stars. PG-13. Cinemark. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Highly acclaimed film directed by Michel Gondry from screenplay by Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation). Stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, with Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst. Carrey discovers Winslet had memories of their relationship erased. Now he wants to do the same. Or does he? The best new film of '04. Very highest recommendations. R. Cinema World. Online archives. Eurotrip: Teens from USA invade Europe. Crass commercialism. R. Movies 12. Girl Next Door, The: Emile Hirsch and Elisha Cuthbert ("24") star in Luke Greenfield's teen comedy, romance. R. Movies 12. Home on the Range: Disney animated feature features voices by Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Quaid, Steve Buscemi, Carole Cook and Governor Ann Richards., while singing comes from k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, Tim McGraw and The Beau Sisters. PG. Cinemark. Kill Bill Vol. 2: The Bride (Uma Thurman) pursues her next foes, Budd (Michael Madsen), Ellie Driver (Daryl Hannah) and finally, Bill (David Carradine). Bound to be bloody. R. Cinemark. Online archives. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: Peter Jackson's stunning work stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett. Frodo and Sam make it to Mount Doom as Aragorn leads the warriors of Middle Earth in the final battle against Sauron. Swept 2003 Academy Awards. Very highest recommendations. Movies 12. Online archives. Man on Fire: Denzel Washington as a security guard for a child who is kidnapped on his watch. He will have revenge. R. Cinemark. Mean Girls: Lindsay Lohan plays a high-school student raised by zoologist parents in the African bush, who falls for a popular girl's ex-boyfriend. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Mystic River: Clint Eastwood directs Brian Helgeland's adaptation, based on Dennis Lehane's dramatic tragedy. Stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. Very highest recommendations. 2003 Academy Awards for Penn and Robbins; nominations for picture, supporting actress Marcia Gay Harden; director Eastwood; adapted screenplay, Helgeland. R. Online archives. Movies 12. Online archives. New York Minute: Action comedy stars Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen as sisters on the loose in Manhattan. With Eugene Levy as a loony truant officer. PG. Cinemark. Scooby Doo 2 Monsters Unleashed: Some scary action, rude humor and language. PG. Cinemark. Secret Window: Psychotic (John Turturro) stalks writer (Johnny Depp), accusing him of stealing the ending to his story. David Koepp directs, story by Stephen King. Also stars Maria Bello, timothy Hutton, Charles S. Dutton. PG-13. Movies 12. Online archives. Shrek 2: Mike Myers returns as Shrek, Cameron Diaz is his new wife, Princess Fiona, and Eddie Murphy's his sidekick, Donkey. Now the newlyweds face Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews) and King Harold (John Cleese). Fairy godmother (Jennifer Saunders), Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) and the ferocious Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Opens Wed. 5/19. Cinemark. Cinema World. Taking Lives: All-star cast includes Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, Keifer Sutherland, Olivier Martinez and Jean-Hughes Anglade. Directed by D.J. Caruso. Thriller about a serial killer who steals his victims' identities. R. Movies 12. Thirteen Going On 30: Jennifer Garner goes to bed 13, wishing she were older. Wakes up 17 years later, and she is. Directed by Gary Winnick, also stars the always excellent Mark Ruffalo, Andy Serkis and Kathy Baker. PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Online archives. Troy: Wofgang Petersen directs the ancient Greek tale of the great warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) and the lovers Paris (Orlando), Prince of Troy, and Helen (Diane Kruger), Queen of Sparta, whose passion starts a war that destroys a civilization. When Paris steals Helen from her husband, King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson) of Sparta, and takes her to the walled city of Troy, Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon (Brian Cox) move against King Priam of Troy (Peter O'Toole) and Prince Hector (Eric Bana). R. Cinema World. Cinemark. Van Helsing: Monster killer Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) teams up with Kate Beckinsale in Transylvania to bring down Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh). PG-13. Cinemark. Cinema World. Walking Tall: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returns home after military career to find his hometown overrun with crime, drugs and violence. He's elected sheriff to shut down his former rival's criminal biz. Directed by Kevin Bray. PG-13. Movies 12. What the Bleep Do We Know? Through interviews with cutting-edge scientists and spiritual teachers, a brand new way of thinking about consciousness, intentionality and the ability to make a difference in the world emerges. But it begins with Amanda (Marlee Matlin). Highly recommended. NR. Bijou. Online archives. MOVIE
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RELEASES ON VIDEO Duel in the Sun (1946): A David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind) production of a minor western novel. A young half Native American woman incites two ranch brothers to conflict. With Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Lionel Barrymore and Lillian Gish. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003): Peter Jackson's stunning work stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett. Frodo and Sam make it to Mount Doom as Aragorn leads the warriors of Middle Earth in the final battle against Sauron. Swept 2003 Academy Awards. Includes video game preview, TV spots, DVD-ROM material. Northern Exposure: Complete first season of the popular TV show where a young, Jewish doctor (Rob Morrow) is obligated to move from New York to practice in Alaska. Also stars John Corbett, Janine Turner, Darren E. Burrows. Saving Private Ryan (1998): Steven Spielberg's World War II combat movie won five 1998 Academy Awards for directing, cinematography, editing best picture, sound, and sound effects editing. Opens with the terror and horror of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the landing at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Among the actors: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel and Jeremy Davies. Smiles of a Summer's Night (1955): Directed by Ingmar Bergman; features Ulla Jacobsson, Gunnar Bjornstrand. Stray Dog (1949): Intense film by Akira Kurosawa. A police detective's revolver is pickpocketed from him and then used in a series of murders. Underworld: Set in a world where vampires are a clan of aristocratic moderns, and lycans (werewolves) are a gang of street thugs, Len Wiseman's film stars Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman. When they fall in love, they trigger an ancient feud. R. Welcome to Mooseport: Ray Romano, running for small-town mayor, and Gene Hackman, former US Prez, square off for Maura Tierney's love. Also stars Marcia Gay Harden, Christine Baranski, Rip Torn. Directed by Donald Petrie. PG-13.
Next Week: Ali, Angels in America, The Company, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt, Destination Tokyo, Freaky Friday, Monster, Night and Day, Trainspotting.
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