# Favorite Kitchen-Sink Movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648 "2019-10-11T19:55:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/1 "2019-10-11T19:55:02Z")
I don’t know if this term is only used in the UK, but every one I’ve seen has been good. I love “Loneliness of a Long-Distance Runner” and many more. Bryan Forbes is a fine director from the handful of movies I’ve seen of his. I love Ken Loach and Mike Leigh the best when it comes to British directors, but I love neo-realism, social-realism, kitchen-sink, etc. What are your favorites? ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/2 "2019-10-11T20:11:11Z")
To me “kitchen sink” would imply something with everything possible thrown into it. So, not sure the meaning in this context. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/3 "2019-10-11T22:15:53Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > To me “kitchen sink” would imply something with everything possible thrown into it. So, not sure the meaning in this context. [Kitchen Sink Realism.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_sink_realism) Basically, dramatic works that tackle difficult social and class issues. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/4 "2019-10-11T22:38:22Z")
One from 1972 that has always stuck with me is [A Day in the Death of Joe Egg](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068450/reference) which coincidentally is being revived, yet again, [on stage in London’s West End.](https://www.ft.com/content/20e72c76-eb51-11e9-85f4-d00e5018f061) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/5 "2019-10-11T22:49:16Z")
I love all of them but have no particular favorite. Maybe ‘Alfie’ with Michael Caine…There was a charming 1966 movie - ‘The Family Way’ - starring Hayley Mills as a newlywed living with her young husband, with her family, in an ‘EastEnders’ type location. I don’t think it’s available on DVD, but I saw it in the theater decades ago. 😉 . Real ‘slice of life’, but not ‘angry young man’ stuff. ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/6 "2019-10-11T23:01:16Z")
Alan Plater did some similar things I love to watch. The Beiderbecke Affair is one and has three sequels. David Ware does political thrillers but with a “voice of the people” vibe. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/7 "2019-10-11T23:09:06Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > There was a charming 1966 movie - ‘The Family Way’ - starring Hayley Mills as a newlywed living with her young husband, with her family, in an ‘EastEnders’ type location. I don’t think it’s available on DVD, but I saw it in the theater decades ago. 😉 . Real ‘slice of life’, but not ‘angry young man’ stuff. I’ve seen The Family Way on TV, it must be available somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/8 "2019-10-11T23:17:22Z")
I think that last year’s _Roma_ might qualify. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/9 "2019-10-11T23:24:53Z")
Seems to me _What’s Eating Gilbert Grape_ is an American version of the genre. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/10 "2019-10-11T23:44:42Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > To me “kitchen sink” would imply something with everything possible thrown into it. So, not sure the meaning in this context. > [@Miller](#): > > [Kitchen Sink Realism.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_sink_realism) > > Basically, dramatic works that tackle difficult social and class issues. I always think of it as a story largely consisting of people having uncomfortable conversations while doing mundane things like washing dishes. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/11 "2019-10-12T01:28:31Z")
Reading people’s explanation a Kitchen Sink movie of and the recent passing of Diannne Carroll brought to mind [Claudine.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071334/) Would it fit the bill? ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/12 "2019-10-12T13:37:56Z")
So basically, hyper realistic movies about slobby ignorant guys in tank tops and their long suffering friends and relatives? 🙂 I’d say **Once Were Warriors** from New Zealand is the best one - extremely well made and legitimately distressing at times. **Blue Collar** is another great 1978 drama about auto workers, with Harvey Keitel and Richard Pryor in 100% serious roles. > [@Biggirl](#): > > Reading people’s explanation a Kitchen Sink movie of and the recent passing of Diannne Carroll brought to mind [Claudine.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071334/) Would it fit the bill? That’s a great example! I also recall **Baby Boy** (with Snoop Dog of all people) as being a well made and gritty character study about a young adult living with his mother. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/13 "2019-10-12T16:11:00Z")
I’m looking forward to the new South Korean film **Parasite.**. I’ve never seen a Bong Joon Ho movie before, but the reviews have been fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/14 "2019-10-12T16:15:27Z")
Favorite one I’ve actually seen: Fassbinder’s **Ali: Fear Eats the Soul** (1974). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/15 "2019-10-12T16:36:23Z")
I can’t think of a film that would fit but bill, but [this video by Squeeze](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQciegmLPAo) is literally set in front of a kitchen sink as a reference, and the lyrics would not be bad as the basis for a full length film. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/16 "2019-10-12T16:44:09Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I think that last year’s _Roma_ might qualify. I would agree with you, but I’m too busy watching the reflection of an airplane in a puddle of water. Or possibly dog pee. Hard to tell. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/17 "2019-10-12T16:48:08Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I would agree with you, but I’m too busy watching the reflection of an airplane in a puddle of water. Or possibly dog pee. Hard to tell. LOL… I tried watching “Roma” but 15 minutes was enough. > [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Favorite one I’ve actually seen: Fassbinder’s **Ali: Fear Eats the Soul** (1974). Good movie… I liked the movie it was based on, too, “All That Heaven Allows” - more about class than race. > [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > So basically, hyper realistic movies about slobby ignorant guys in tank tops and their long suffering friends and relatives? 🙂 > > I’d say **Once Were Warriors** from New Zealand is the best one - extremely well made and legitimately distressing at times. > > **Blue Collar** is another great 1978 drama about auto workers, with Harvey Keitel and Richard Pryor in 100% serious roles. Both are very good movies. I don’t think I ever saw a more real and horrific family in a movie than “Once Were Warriors” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/18 "2019-10-12T21:29:18Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I can’t think of a film that would fit but bill, but [this video by Squeeze](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQciegmLPAo) is literally set in front of a kitchen sink as a reference, and the lyrics would not be bad as the basis for a full length film. The song is actually named after a film (of a play and a novel) _Up the Junction_, which is a perfect example of this genre, starring the very young Dennis Waterman and Maureen Lipman. Like many of these films it deals with the issue of abortion in the time before it was legalised in Britain. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/19 "2019-10-12T21:34:11Z")
I saw David Tennant playing Jimmy Porter in _Look Back in Anger_ on stage in Edinburgh , about 5 minutes before he became A-list. Blake from Blake’s 7 played the dad. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648/20 "2019-10-12T21:38:56Z")
I enjoyed the film of _This Sporting Life_, which more or less fits the bill here, but I stopped reading the book as it felt quite misogynist. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-kitchen-sink-movies/841648.md?page=2)