You are not likely ever to see anything like this coming out of Hollywood, in fact you are not likely to see anything like it period. This one is cause for celebration of small independent films.
Reading the plot line, "Swedish company goes to Norway to study the kitchen habits of bachelors with the goal of designing the ideally efficient kitchen," does not inspire one to rush to see this. But, score one for the IMDb commentators whose positive reviews did encourage me to see it.
Much territory is covered in this quiet movie. First there is the satirical observations on the modern passion to analyze and standardize. The bachelor under observation here, Isak, proves the foolishness of the standardization effort - he doesn't even cook in his kitchen.
The observer assigned to Isak, Folke, starts out as a fastidious company man, but his time with Isak changes him, as well as Isak. The rule that the observer and observed are not to talk is ultimately breached - the taciturn Norwegian bachelor farmer and the lonely company man give proof to the fact that we humans are social animals. Through friendships we become stronger and more authentic. But, as noted here, newly formed friendships can disturb existing relationships and provoke jealousies.
The rigidity of corporate management structures comes in for some lampooning and the whole credibility of any survey is brought into question. There is a sort of social Heisenberg uncertainty principle in play - the acts of the surveyor influence the responses of the surveyed.
This is a truly one of a kind story, uniquely realized with subtle humor, wry observations, and endearing characters.
Reading the plot line, "Swedish company goes to Norway to study the kitchen habits of bachelors with the goal of designing the ideally efficient kitchen," does not inspire one to rush to see this. But, score one for the IMDb commentators whose positive reviews did encourage me to see it.
Much territory is covered in this quiet movie. First there is the satirical observations on the modern passion to analyze and standardize. The bachelor under observation here, Isak, proves the foolishness of the standardization effort - he doesn't even cook in his kitchen.
The observer assigned to Isak, Folke, starts out as a fastidious company man, but his time with Isak changes him, as well as Isak. The rule that the observer and observed are not to talk is ultimately breached - the taciturn Norwegian bachelor farmer and the lonely company man give proof to the fact that we humans are social animals. Through friendships we become stronger and more authentic. But, as noted here, newly formed friendships can disturb existing relationships and provoke jealousies.
The rigidity of corporate management structures comes in for some lampooning and the whole credibility of any survey is brought into question. There is a sort of social Heisenberg uncertainty principle in play - the acts of the surveyor influence the responses of the surveyed.
This is a truly one of a kind story, uniquely realized with subtle humor, wry observations, and endearing characters.