A delightful, heartwarming film set in a tiny village in the middle of the Scottish Highlands, at the most important time of the year. For thirty years, devoted porridge enthusiasts have competed for the coveted Golden Spurtle at the World Porridge Making Championship. A hilarious documentary that unfolds as an ode to the warm, kind-hearted locals and participants; each a bit eccentric, unflappable, and blessed with a wonderfully dry sense of humor.
Since the Stone Age, few culinary traditions have endured as well as the nourishing morning bowl of porridge. This world championship celebrates the oldest recipe in the world! The charismatic heart of the event is Charlie Miller. Despite his fragile health, he’s determined to make this year’s tournament a success and to secure his legacy. The joy and pride of this small, close-knit community shine through every scene. With a generous dose of Scottish self-deprecation, the Australian director and cinematographer create a playful, nostalgic atmosphere, as if they’ve uncovered a hidden world in the middle of Scotland, a world reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, complete with a perfectly fitting musical score.
A film that teaches you that getting your porridge right is harder than nuclear physics, and that you must always stir clockwise, or else! But most of all, even if you don’t like porridge at all, it leaves you with a wonderfully warm and blissful feeling as you leave the cinema. A small, comforting miracle of a film.