A Google search quickly reveals that the average shot length in a film has been reduced from 10 seconds in the early days of cinema to 2.5 seconds today.
Some would argue that this change is merely a reflection of modern audience’s inability to stay focused for more than a few seconds, while others would argue that it makes for far more stimulating and exciting viewing.
In fact, the so-called “long shot” is now regarded as a rare bravura achievement by a director. However, despite the technical challenges, examples of long shots in movies do still occur.
The opening of the wickedly clever The Player artfully opens with a superbly staged long shot, while long shots are being discussed by the characters involved.
The film Children of Men is perhaps best remembered for the eight-minute shot set in a car, though the film also abounds in several longer-than-average shots.
The wonderful Birdman attempts to pass itself off as one long shot, though a certain amount of “cheating” is involved.
Famously and brilliantly, Alexander Sokurov’s Russian Ark does indeed truly consist of one 96-minute-long shot as the film takes the viewer on a memorable tour of the Winter Palace and an encapsulation of Russian history.
Now a new film has come along (available on Prime Video*) which consists of an almost equally long shot. Boiling Point is, however, far more than an attempt to impress with a spectacular technical achievement.
The film follows chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) as he presides over a busy night in his restaurant. It is made clear at once that he is not only beset with his own personal and family problems, but has also to deal with the kind of challenges that one imagines are part of every restauranteur’s life: in-fighting among the staff, tardy workers, missing ingredients, food inspectors, patrons with food allergies, obnoxious complaining, and racist customers, all amid the unrelenting pressure of fulfilling diners’ orders.
All of this is beautifully choreographed with a perfectly pitched screenplay by James Cummings and his co-writer/director Philip Barantini.
As Andy attempts to navigate his personal challenges and the expected pressures of his job, he also must deal with pressures of an unexpected visit by a famous television restaurant critic and former colleague.
Superbly acted by an ensemble cast, with Graham’s outstanding performance being matched especially by Hannah Walters as his chief sou-chef, Boiling Point is indeed a remarkable cinematic achievement. The result is an intriguing and convincing entertainment which may cause viewers to approach any future “fine dining” experience with a greater appreciation of all that is involved in making that experience possible.
An apparently authentic depiction of life beyond the elegant restaurant facade, Boiling Point is a film which clearly owes much to reality television shows in which famous chefs are shown working. In light of this, it is perhaps not surprising that the film is plentifully laced with objectionable crude language.
Potential viewers who find such language unacceptable should avoid the film; those who can tolerate it will doubtless be rewarded with a memorable and immersive 90 minutes of non-stop activity and conflict.
*Boiling Point is available through Optik Downloads at the moment, but is expected to be available on Prime later this month.
