10/10/2023 - The award-winning, single-shot film gets the small-screen treatment as a spin-off sequel full of culinary trials and tribulations, directed by Mounia Akl and Philip Barantini

The single-shot kitchen drama film Boiling Point [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Philip Barantini
film profile] (based on a BIFA-nominated short) garnered much acclaim on the international festival circuit. It was acquired by numerous territories, including Australia, the USA and Japan, and was celebrated with over 20 international awards. The feature is now succeeded by a small-screen spin-off sequel of the same name, Boiling Point. The sequel picks up several months after the events of the movie. With head chef Andy (Stephen Graham) having lost his restaurant, staff and reputation, the series follows his sous-chef, Carly (Vinette Robinson). She helms a new restaurant, Point North, confronting pressures reminiscent of those Andy experienced, though her challenges oscillate between the personal, managerial and business realms in this compelling four-part miniseries.

The show is a collaborative effort between Philip Barantini, the film's co-writer and director, and Mounia Akl (Costa Brava, Lebanon [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), with each directing two episodes. Seamless continuation in the narrative is maintained by the film’s co-writer James Cummings, who is credited as the creator of the serial spin-off. The story captures Carly's endeavours to master the delicate art of haute cuisine – reimagining classic northern food for a five-star dining experience – while ensuring that her private life and those of her staff won’t be encroaching on their professional duties. While the series pays homage to the film's single-shot formalism in its opening scene, it opts not to continue with this style throughout. The miniseries serves as an ensemble portrayal, tracing characters from various levels of the kitchen hierarchy, and both the front- and back-of-house teams, extending to their personal lives and homes beyond the restaurant's confines.

While Carly's journey anchors the show, a collaborative writing effort from James Cummings, Nathaniel Stevens, Alex Tenenbaum, Philip Barantini, Dan Cadan and Stephen Graham ensures that the story extends ample focus to the ensemble cast, the majority of whom are drawn from the original film. We are thrust into the rapid and demanding world of haute cuisine through the eyes of newcomer Johnny (Stephen Odubola), who turns to Google for hollandaise sauce recipes and manages to set fire to a pan. Although the series departs from the film's single-shot setup, the camera remains restless. It flits between characters, offering a whirlwind behind-the-scenes look at high-intensity culinary craft verging on its boiling point.

The intense environment of the series is not just a result of financial strains, hesitant investors or the inherent tension of a bustling kitchen. The writers have adeptly used the concise four-episode framework to delve into broader social issues affecting a team from diverse backgrounds. Pastry chef Jamie (Stephen McMillan) grapples with self-harm, culminating in a critical moment on a demanding evening; Emily (Hannah Walters), the kitchen's mother figure, wrestles with personal demons; sous-chef Freeman (Ray Panthaki) struggles to rein in his volatile temperament; while Camille (Izuka Hoyle) navigates workplace harassment arising from unrequited affections. Meanwhile, Carly is tasked with maintaining culinary excellence, negotiating her rather toxic relationship with her mother and navigating her love life, which won’t match her mother’s conservative worldview. In contrast, the ever-cheerful manager Dean (Gary Lamont) seems unburdened by personal dilemmas, often acting as a safety net for the others.

The miniseries confidently stands on its own two feet, weaving a complex plot with a dynamic ensemble cast over several challenging evenings. Yet, it also functions seamlessly as a sequel, shedding light on the aftermath of the Andy-Carly storyline and the fate of the Jones & Sons restaurant, along with the characters not taken under Carly's aegis. The tension isn't confined to the kitchen's opening hours; indeed, the disquiet lingers long beyond the last demanding customer or investor. Boiling Point provides a panoramic overview, and the skilful cinematography and editing demonstrate that the series does not need to rely solely on a frenzied single shot to capture the overwhelming workplace intensity that sustains viewers' engagement, as they anticipate the next surge of challenges and mounting pressure to surpass yet another boiling point.

Boiling Point is a UK production co-produced by Ascendant Fox, Matriarch Productions, Made Up Productions and the BBC. International distribution is handled by BBC Studios.