Short Order

Anthony Byrne’s first feature concerns a short-order cook called Fifi Koko (De Caunes) and her grappling over fate, love and daunting expectations. Surprisingly, this film draws strength not from the promise of girl-on-girl romance between the lovely Fifi and her friend Catherine (Hagen) but from the machinations of crazy chef Paulo (Serbedzija) and his culinary masterpiece. It’s a dish made perfect by its secret ingredient of human fingers; Paulo’s anguish (he describes the meal as his “white whale”) and plotting provide genuine laughs and some of the only quality moments in this otherwise forgettable movie.