The fourth season of FX’s delicious, harrowing The Bear is around the corner, bringing with it flavors of joyful performances, beautifully delicate writing, and no small soupçon of self-hatred and shame as we are reminded that so much good food comes from a place of perfectionism driven by pain. But The Bear is far from the only thing that’s tried to tell us that, with a great history of movies following the same path. We thought we’d provide a tasting menu, if you like, of three of the best… for your consideration, that is.

This is For Your Consideration, in which we try to come to terms with the inescapable fact that, honestly, there’s too much out there to have time to watch, read, or hear everything — by making some suggestions about things that you might have overlooked but would enjoy, anyway. Think of it as recommendations from a well-meaning friend.

Boiling Point is The Bear, if The Bear really didn’t like its characters

We’ve previously recommended the TV spin-off of this anxiety attack of a movie to you as a follow-up to Netflix’s Adolescence, but the original movie — which stars the same cast, and is executed in a one-shot flex that somehow only drives the tension ever higher as the story builds — is well worth your attention as well. Set in a busy, yet struggling, British restaurant during a particularly hectic service, it feels like The Bear’s worst night and then some, as a self-destructive chef lets everything fall to pieces even without realizing it, and his staff do their best to prevent the worst from happening. Spoilers: they don’t entirely succeed. Anyone who’s ever worked in the service industry, enjoy — but be prepared for some flashbacks to your worst night, just in case.

Available to stream on Peacock

La Cocina is The Bear, if The Bear was more honest about restaurant labor

Based on a 1957 stage play called ‘The Kitchen’ — which is what La Cocina means, in Spanish — this 2024 comedy-drama is a stressful watch for many reasons… not least of all the discomfort that comes from seeing how badly the kitchen staff at the New York City restaurant in question are treated. (By each other, as well as by management.) There’s a dreamlike restlessness and yearning at the heart of this movie that speaks to its ambitions beyond simply being about a workplace drama — it’s also a romance, and to some degrees, a crime drama, if you squint hard enough — but throughout its shifts in tone and storytelling, it remains utterly compelling, and a very, deeply, human movie. It’s angry, in all the very best ways that we can hope for from our movies.

Available to stream on Mubi

Big Night is The Bear, if The Bear was more sentimental (and set in the 1950s)

Of course, it doesn’t always have to be a harrowing experience for the viewer watching chefs stress their way through a service — let’s look at 1996’s Big Night for proof of that. Yes, there’s no shortage of tension for the characters in the movie, brought to life by an all-star cast that includes Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Isabella Rossellini, and Minnie Driver, but the overall experience is one that leaves the audience… full, perhaps, might be the best way to describe it, by the end of the sitting. Two immigrants in 1950s America open their dream restaurant, to little success… until a celebrity appearance offers what might be their one chance to change everything. Assuming they can make it through the night in one piece. You’ll laugh, you’ll want to cry, and you’ll definitely want to order Italian by the time the movie’s over.

Available to stream on Prime Video

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