Fresh
Yet another smoothly produced doc for the foodie set.
Adam Nayman, Globe and Mail
Spinning Plates
It's not what you cook. It's why.
2013 · 1h 38m · Not Rated
Documentary
Directed by
Joseph Levy
Free account saves your watchlist and ratings.
Spinning Plates
Overview
Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are. A cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef must battle a life-threatening obstacle to pursue his passion. A 150-year-old family restaurant still standing only because of the unbreakable bond with its community. A fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners are risking everything just to survive and provide for their young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of family, legacy, passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful food can be, and the power it has to connect us to one another.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
86%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Plays to sentiment in its second half but you can't help but admire the tenacity of these people, who have been tested repeatedly in almost Biblical fashion, yet come out swinging.
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
Fresh
Though these stories have little to do with each other, all are gripping, and you watch the last third of "Spinning Plates" rapt.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Fresh
While the dramatic conflicts in the film are set up in a rather rote manner (meet the personalities, fret over their setbacks, sigh at the resolution), the human stories here are undeniably moving.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Rotten
The tales are worthwhile, but it's challenging to find a common thread among them that goes beyond vague generalities.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
More films
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021)
Documentary · R
An intimate, behind-the-scenes look at how an anonymous chef became a world-renowned cultural icon. This unflinching look at Anthony Bourdain reverberates with his presence, in his own voice and in the way he indelibly impacted the world around him.
- Runtime
- 1h 59m
- Cast
- Anthony Bourdain, Nancy Bourdain, Joel Rose
IMDb
7.7
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Metacritic
78
A Toxic Love Story (2026)
Documentary · TV-MA
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
- Runtime
- 1h 31m
- Director
- Alexandra Lacey
- Cast
- Amanda Wear, Ian Diaz, Gavin Marck
IMDb
6.6
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Come See Me in the Good Light (2025)
Documentary · TV-MA
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Director
- Ryan White
- Cast
- Andrea Gibson, Megan Falley, Heather Mann
IMDb
7.5
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Metacritic
81
No Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad (2013)
Documentary · N/A
A documentary about the making of season five of the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad.
- Runtime
- 2h 16m
- Director
- Stuart Richardson
- Cast
- Bryan Cranston, Michael Bowen, Betsy Brandt
IMDb
8.3
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)
Documentary · N/A
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
- Runtime
- 38m
- Director
- Dave Hoffman
- Cast
- Chris Connelly, James Cameron, Zoe Saldaña
IMDb
6.2
The Four Robinsons (1939)
Comedy · N/A
Four friends pretend a cruise to escape their wives and go clubbing, but they are forced to go through face-saving shipwreck, becoming castaways.
- Runtime
- 1h 38m
- Director
- Eduardo García Maroto
- Cast
- Antonio Vico, Mary Santpere, Fernando Rey
IMDb
5.8
La mantilla de Beatriz (1946)
Drama · Romance · N/A
In XVII century Portugal two friends change identities so one of them can escape an unwanted marriage to Beatriz.
- Runtime
- 1h 27m
- Director
- Eduardo García Maroto
- Cast
- Virgílio Teixeira, Margarita Andrey, María Isbert
Comments
Talk about the film with other members