Andrea Berloff shares insights on the female-led crime saga The Kitchen, serving as its writer and director.
In the heart of New York City, 1978, the gritty streets of Hell's Kitchen serve as the backdrop for a unique gangster tale. Directed by Andrea Berloff in her directorial debut, "The Kitchen" is a captivating film that offers more than just a night at the cinema.
Berloff, who also penned the script, based the movie on the DC Vertigo comic book series of the same name. The story revolves around three mob wives, Kathy, Ruby, and Claire, portrayed by Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss, respectively. When their husbands are sent to prison by the FBI, these women seize the opportunity to take control of the criminal operations and eliminate their competition.
The characters in "The Kitchen" are not mere caricatures but real individuals, each with their own thoughts, desires, and actions. Berloff emphasizes this point, stating, "The characters in 'The Kitchen' are seen as real individuals, with their own thoughts, desires, and actions." This relatability stems from the fact that the women start in a situation where they are not given the respect and opportunities they desire, a feeling that many people can understand.
The costumes in "The Kitchen" are authentically '70s but designed to look cool to modern eyes. Sarah Edwards, the costume designer, has a sharp curatorial eye, ensuring that the styles in the film look amazing, with the lapels being particularly noteworthy. Edwards, who also worked on "Ocean's 8," was careful to avoid polyester clothing due to its lack of stretch and breathability, making it difficult to film in the summer.
Andrea Berloff cast excellent actors for the male roles, including Brian d'Arcy James, James Badge Dale, Jeremy Bobb, Domhnall Gleason, Common, and Bill Camp. The actresses in "The Kitchen" are not fond of polyester clothing due to its lack of stretch and breathability, making it difficult to film in the summer.
One of the challenges in bringing the world of "The Kitchen" to the screen was the difficulty in finding authentic locations in a gentrified New York City and dressing the sets to look like 1978. Another challenge was handling the vast amount of footage—1,000 hours recorded over one and a half years—requiring meticulous planning, shooting, and editing to create a coherent and engaging narrative.
"The Kitchen" is more than just a fun night out and a great piece of entertainment. Berloff hopes that audiences will be transported to a place and time, reflecting on where they are now, and that the film will provide a different perspective on the women's movement. The movie is set to challenge audiences to question their own choices and beliefs, asking themselves, "What would I do in that situation?" and "Where's my voice? What do I want? What box have I been put into? What stereotype do people make of me?"
In conclusion, "The Kitchen" is a big, fun event movie that could help revitalize the movie industry by providing reasons to go to the theatre. With its authentic costumes, engaging narrative, and strong performances, it's a film that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
