An entirely well-meaning comedy set in Norway in the 50s, "Kitchen Stories" tells the droll tale of two lonely men brought together by an absurd study. In the name of modernization, company man Folke (Tomas Norström) is to observe the habits of old Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) from a high chair in his kitchen. Unless you've never seen a movie before, you'll know right away that the two will end up as friends.
Norwegian director Bent Hamer's effort is nicely photographed and luxuriates in the designs of the era, including the gorgeous cars, airplanes, and streamlined baby-carriages. The characters, however, are less three-dimensional, and while the film has its number of genuine laughs, we never learn enough about Isak or Folke to feel for their fate. Intended as sparse comedy, "Kitchen Stories" aims for but misses the wry truthfulness of Aki Kaurismaki's best films, or his disarming humor.
