Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Soul Kitchen" is one of German director Faith Akin's more recent movies. This one runs for 100 minutes, came out 6 years ago and features mostly Greek characters living in Germany. Certainly a nice little story featuring Akin's Turkish roots. The lead actor and co-writer is Adam Bousdoukos and he plays his part well. Still, he is not half as famous as the likes of Bleibtreu, Möhring, Ünel, Kier, Lohmeyer, Imboden or Fedder who all also appear in this one, some in bigger roles, some in really small roles. The main character certainly has to go through a lot here: health struggles, financial issues, legal problems and, last but not least, he also is in a romantic relationship without perspective. However, even with all these negative factors, this is never a depressing film, but an uplifting, because it shows that with the right people by your side, you can overcome everything.There are also many funny moments in here, like Ünel's performance, the one at the end of the auction, or the Bonebreaker guy. Pretty much a character right out of a Tarantino movie, basically Winston Wolf with a license to practice as a doctor. It's tough for me to truly enjoy this movie or see something extremely memorable in here. Probably not among the very best Germany has come up with in terms of film in the last 10 years, but I thought it was an enjoyable watch with a very likable main character who works as a restaurant owner. Recommended, especially if you like dramedy that have multi-cultural aspects included. In this area, it is certainly among the best Germany has to offer and on par with the many films on this issue that come from France. All kinds of nice music is in here as well. Pretty good script too. It is over-the-top on some occasions, but in a delightful manner and never embarrassing. Thumbs up for Akin, Bousdoukos and "Soul Kitchen".

Guy Lanoue This is an example of an emerging genre in film, in which the characters act as if they are completely uprooted from any normal or traditional behavioural or psychological frameworks (lots of shouting and hysterical goings on, apparently unmotivated behaviour, casual and meaningless sex and violence, and the like), yet there is, strangely enough, a structure and a harmony that emerges at the end. It's almost like a comic book whose heroes have steroid pumped muscles, chiselled faces, speak in and represent clichés of good and evil, yet it makes sense. There is no moralising here in this tale of an uneducated Greek restaurant (more of a greasy spoon, at the beginning) owner in Hamburg, one of the toughest and grittiest of German cities, which is used quite effectively as a backdrop that highlights the somewhat confused and direction-less behaviour of the protagonists. The contrasts are numerous and almost clichéd: his brother is an unsuccessful thief, he is improbably in love with an aristocratic journalist who leaves him to his fate while she goes on assignment in China, he has a non rent paying old Greek fisherman tenant in his wharf side restaurant, a would be artist waitress, a world class blues-soul band who uses his restaurant in which to practice yet can't find a gig. You get the idea. In the middle of this apparent chaos, a few human feelings slowly emerge, between the brothers, between the waitress and the thief, between the Greek and his Turkish masseuse, even, after they break up, between the Greek and his ex, who does the decent thing and lends a large sum to the Greek so he can restart his life. Everything works out. So what is the message? I suppose that genuine and positive emotions triumph over social divisions and over chaos, whether caused by race or class. What is important is the dexterity with which this simple theme is communicated, without pathos or angst: the world is just what it is - ridiculous, venal and stupid, and sometimes going with the flow and acting out is what saves us. The script is almost ridiculous, but works well in the hands of director Faith Akin (himself a Turk living in Germany, while the Greek character is in fact a real Greek (and the scriptwriter) who also lives in Germany). Akin allows the humour to emerge naturally, without forcing it by the use of slapstick or stereotypes. It starts slow (I think this may be deliberate), and might even irritate at first as the chaos gets installed as the backdrop for the human story. It drags a bit, so one wonders what the hell is going on and when will the "real" action start. But the many unconnected threads are slowly brought together in a charming ending. Definitely worth the rental.

Sunnie Liang vote for the insistence the leading actor, and he simplified the life with never look back and straight forward. First glance of the restaurant smell the heavy metal. The music is the highlight of the movie. It will be better if melt the Blue, folk and supportive to the cook. Then the polishing of the cook and Music will be multi-taste. Count of Monte Cristo is also an attractive part, for his trouble maker responsibility. I like cook, but not good at. What is the soul of my cook? Not professional but full of image. what is the soul of my life, we'll see. I like cook, but not good. Keep my passion to be a good chief of my life :)

ilikeallmovies Great movie, fast and fresh, the kind of fun the movies are supposed to be.The characters are real and dynamic, the sites are beautiful, interiors and exteriors, although in industrial area, they feel warm and cozy after some time.The action never loses pace.I am trying to find now other movies from the same director and/or lead actor.It is refreshing in a way Guy Ritchie is, you wait for the next movie because you expect the same feeling.