Review of The Kitchen (2019) by Markhreviews — 04 Sep 2019

The storyline for “The Kitchen” has all the subtle nuance of a comic book. Oh wait: that actually is the source material for this misbegotten enterprise.

That’s a pity, because the cast deserves so much better. As Kathy, Melissa McCarthy (“Bridesmaids,” “The Heat”) continues her trend toward meaty, non-comedic roles (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”). Tiffany Haddish (“Girls Trip”) shows acting chops never previously required in films like “Night School.” From her time on “Mad Men” to her current role in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Elisabeth Moss is well-established as an actor of real substance. Even in this venture, she does not disappoint. Ironically, though, it’s Margo Martindale (most recently, “Sneaky Pete”) who basically steals the show.

Apparently, this film aspires to be a story about female empowerment. After their husbands are sent to prison following a botched robbery, McCarthy, Haddish and Moss realize that they must do something to ensure their own economic survival. That something turns out to be taking over the protection racket in Hell’s Kitchen circa 1978. Why didn’t they think of that before? In fairness, there are a few interesting, funny, poignant scenes as the women muscle out their male competitors. However, the woman power theme flounders for four reasons. First, this trio can succeed only at the expense of another woman (Martindale), the matriarch of the Irish mob that runs Hell’s Kitchen. Second, once they are in power, these women prove themselves fully as ruthless, conniving, selfish and self-absorbed as the males they have replaced. Third, rather than showing the solidarity one might presume from women consistently oppressed and marginalized by the conventional social structure, these three women turn on each other at first opportunity. Finally, these “empowered” women show a stunning reliance on males for most of the literal and metaphorical heavy lifting.

This movie might be more fully worthwhile if the screen faded to black, the dialogue was removed and audiences simply sat and listened to the fabulous soundtrack from the 1970s. Etta James, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Foghat, Heart and even Tommy Dorsey are enlisted to break up the tedium. Buy the soundtrack, skip the movie.

This “Kitchen” offers little spice and only superficial flavoring. You won’t require a stomach pump, but this film makes Chipotle seem like fine dining.