The Kitchen, a crime drama film released in 2019, has been making waves with its gripping storyline and powerful performances. The movie, directed by Andrea Berloff, is based on the DC Vertigo comic book series of the same name by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle. However, the question on everyone’s mind is: is the Kitchen based on a real story? In this article, we will delve into the world of the Kitchen and explore its connections to real-life events.
A Glimpse into the World of the Kitchen
The Kitchen is set in the 1970s in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. The story revolves around three women, Kathy Brennan (Melissa McCarthy), Ruby O’Carroll (Tiffany Haddish), and Claire Walsh (Elisabeth Moss), who take over their husbands’ organized crime business after they are sent to prison. As they navigate the male-dominated world of crime, they face numerous challenges and obstacles, including rival gangs, corrupt cops, and their own personal demons.
Historical Context: The Rise of Organized Crime in Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen, a neighborhood in Manhattan, has a long history of organized crime dating back to the early 20th century. The area was a hub for Irish and Italian gangs, who controlled various aspects of the neighborhood, including extortion, loan-sharking, and prostitution. The 1970s, in particular, saw a rise in organized crime activity, with gangs like the Westies and the Gambino crime family vying for control.
The Westies: A Notorious Irish Gang
The Westies, an Irish gang that operated in Hell’s Kitchen, were known for their brutality and ruthlessness. The gang, led by Jimmy Coonan and Mickey Featherstone, was involved in various crimes, including murder, extortion, and robbery. The Westies were also notorious for their involvement in the infamous “Whitey” Bulger case, in which they were accused of working with the Boston mobster to commit various crimes.
Real-Life Inspirations: The Women of Organized Crime
While the Kitchen is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from real-life women who were involved in organized crime. One such example is Virginia Hill, a notorious gangster’s moll who was involved with various high-profile mobsters, including Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky. Hill was known for her beauty, intelligence, and cunning, and was often referred to as the “Queen of the Underworld.”
The Story of Arlyne Brickman: A Real-Life Mob Wife
Arlyne Brickman, a former mob wife, is another real-life inspiration for the Kitchen. Brickman was married to a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family and was involved in various aspects of the family’s business, including extortion and loan-sharking. Brickman’s story is a fascinating one, and her experiences as a mob wife offer a unique glimpse into the world of organized crime.
Conclusion: The Kitchen and Its Connections to Real-Life Events
While the Kitchen is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from real-life events and people. The movie’s portrayal of organized crime in Hell’s Kitchen is rooted in historical fact, and its depiction of women involved in organized crime is a nod to the many real-life women who have played a significant role in the world of crime. Whether or not the Kitchen is based on a real story, it is clear that the movie’s themes and characters are deeply rooted in reality.
| Character | Real-Life Inspiration |
|---|---|
| Kathy Brennan (Melissa McCarthy) | Virginia Hill, a notorious gangster’s moll |
| Ruby O’Carroll (Tiffany Haddish) | Arlyne Brickman, a former mob wife |
In conclusion, the Kitchen is a gripping crime drama that draws inspiration from real-life events and people. While the movie is a work of fiction, its portrayal of organized crime in Hell’s Kitchen is rooted in historical fact, and its depiction of women involved in organized crime is a nod to the many real-life women who have played a significant role in the world of crime.
Is the Kitchen Based on a Real Story?
The Kitchen is a 2019 American crime drama film directed by Andrea Berloff. While the film is not based on a specific true story, it is inspired by the DC/Vertigo Comics series of the same name. The comic book series, written by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle, explores the lives of the wives of Irish mobsters in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, in the 1970s.
The film adaptation takes creative liberties with the story, but it does draw inspiration from real-life events and figures from the time period. The movie’s portrayal of the women’s struggles and empowerment is fictional, but it is rooted in the historical context of the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s.
What Inspired the Creation of the Kitchen?
The creation of the Kitchen was inspired by the DC/Vertigo Comics series of the same name. The comic book series was written by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle, and it explores the lives of the wives of Irish mobsters in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, in the 1970s. The series was praised for its gritty and realistic portrayal of the women’s lives, and it caught the attention of film director Andrea Berloff.
Berloff was drawn to the story because of its strong female characters and its exploration of themes such as empowerment, loyalty, and survival. She saw an opportunity to bring the story to life on the big screen and to explore the complexities of the women’s relationships with each other and with the men in their lives.
Is the Kitchen a True Story About the Irish Mob?
The Kitchen is not a true story about the Irish mob, but it is inspired by real-life events and figures from the time period. The film’s portrayal of the Irish mob and its activities is fictional, but it is rooted in the historical context of the Irish mob’s presence in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, in the 1970s.
The film’s depiction of the mob’s activities, such as extortion, loan-sharking, and violence, is based on real-life accounts of the Irish mob’s activities during the time period. However, the specific characters and events in the film are fictional and not based on real people or events.
What Is the Historical Context of the Kitchen?
The Kitchen is set in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, in the 1970s. This was a time of great social and economic change in the city, with the women’s liberation movement gaining momentum and the city’s economy struggling to recover from the 1970s recession. The Irish mob was also a significant presence in the city during this time, with many Irish-American gangs operating in Hell’s Kitchen and other neighborhoods.
The film’s portrayal of the women’s struggles and empowerment is set against this historical backdrop. The women’s liberation movement was gaining momentum in the 1970s, with many women demanding greater equality and freedom. The film’s depiction of the women’s relationships with each other and with the men in their lives is also influenced by the social and cultural norms of the time.
Are the Characters in the Kitchen Based on Real People?
The characters in the Kitchen are not based on real people, but they are inspired by real-life figures from the time period. The film’s portrayal of the women’s lives and relationships is fictional, but it is rooted in the historical context of the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s.
The film’s characters, such as Kathy, Claire, and Ruby, are composites of different women who lived in Hell’s Kitchen during the 1970s. Their stories and experiences are fictional, but they are influenced by real-life accounts of women who lived in the neighborhood during this time.
What Is the Significance of the Kitchen’s Portrayal of Women?
The Kitchen’s portrayal of women is significant because it explores themes of empowerment, loyalty, and survival in a way that is both authentic and nuanced. The film’s depiction of the women’s relationships with each other and with the men in their lives is complex and multifaceted, and it challenges traditional stereotypes of women’s roles in society.
The film’s portrayal of women is also significant because it is set against the historical backdrop of the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s. The film’s depiction of the women’s struggles and empowerment is influenced by the social and cultural norms of the time, and it provides a unique perspective on the experiences of women during this period.
What Is the Legacy of the Kitchen?
The Kitchen is a film that has left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike. Its portrayal of women’s lives and relationships is both authentic and nuanced, and it challenges traditional stereotypes of women’s roles in society. The film’s exploration of themes such as empowerment, loyalty, and survival is also significant, and it provides a unique perspective on the experiences of women during the 1970s.
The film’s legacy is also significant because it has helped to pave the way for more female-led films and television shows. The Kitchen’s success has shown that films about women’s lives and experiences can be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and it has helped to create more opportunities for women in the film industry.