Gourmet Club

Finland 2004 colour 65min Snapper Films

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Comedy

cast: Hannu-Pekka Björkman (Paavo Ylönen), Harri Ketonen (Mr. Wallenius), Antti Litja (Castrén), Aarno Sulkanen (Thenström), Tapani Perttu, Pekka Strang, Marc Gassot, Tommi Korpela, Michael Badalucco (chef Orsino), Jonna Järnefelt, Holle Holopainen
credits: dir. Juha Wuolijoki (also script with Pekko Pesonen, Philip and Raymond Mackintosh), prod. Juha Wuolijoki, Mitchell Bard and Ben Barenholtz, DOP Mika Orasmaa

Doctor Paavo Ylönen has lost his money. Because he is highly respected man, he tries to fake that he is still a rich man. Then he gets one more problem. He and a few other men has this so called gourmet club, where they eat expensive meals, made of something that one of its member has brought with him. After the meal the other members try to guess what they've been eating. Every time they make a bet about it. It's doc's turn to bring the special ingredient with him but what could a poor man offer, if he wants to win too?

This is a black comedy, which tells a lot about the movie. You know in the beginning what's going to happen. It's not a bad idea but it also lacks the power of the ending. However, the movie has its moments. Although it takes place mainly in the stiff upper-class gourmet club, everything is moving on all of the time. All the actors work nicely together, even "the big American star" Michael Badalucco fits well in the image as the chef of many secrets. This is a TV movie.

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