GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

mickieoh I loved this documentary! Kenny is a fascinating personality with some of the funniest philosophies ever. I watched this movie in complete awe of the way he incorporates profanity into his ideas of what life is all about; he makes it work. I read that he closed his restaurant. I suppose 32 years was enough. I saw at the end of the movie that his beloved wife died; my deepest sympathy for a lady that seemed deeply satisfied and happy with her family. As a matter of fact, the whole family seemed very content and enjoyed working together most of the time. Hats off to a great documentary that was funny, sensitive and timely. Mickie

MartinHafer This was a rather enjoyable film about a New York institution, a hole in the wall restaurant named "Shopsins". What makes this very mundane topic interesting is the owner and chef, Kenny Shopsin. Kenny is a man that is hard to describe without using expletives, as he's one of the nastiest and crustiest men I've even seen on film--and yet his customers adore him and his place. I guess it's a New York thing, as he often heaps abuse and invectives on people--many times, it seems, just because he likes being a jerk. Oddly, despite being a rather horrible person who throws out customers as often as the Yankees used to throw out managers, he's got some interesting and perhaps endearing qualities. First, while he talks like a sailor, he's no dummy--you can hear some pearls of wisdom buried between filthy comments. My favorite, though not especially deep or true is listed above in the summary! Second, he is truly an amazing chef who has concocted hundreds of unique dishes. Third, and I have no idea how, despite being a critical and horrible person, he's got a family that loves him, puts up with him and is loyal. I assume he's either got them drugged or has some voodoo spell to keep them in line! The documentary IS Kenny. Seeing him in action may at times be repellent but it certainly never is dull! So I recommend you definitely watch this odd little confection. Now would I recommend you eat at his restaurant? Maybe not, as his favorite thing to do on the job is to smash flies with his swatter (hence the title of the film) and a place with that many dead flies in the kitchen scares me! Although, next time I'm in New York and I want some verbal abuse, perhaps I'll stop in with four of my friends for a bite or just to have a cup of coffee and make a phone call.By the way, this is one of the only films I have ever seen that is rated R simply because of very, very harsh language. There is no violence or nudity--just a constant stream of cursing from this world champion misanthrope.

PaulyC Well, first off, I watched this because it deals with a restaurant in one of my favorite places, Greenwich Village, New York. Still the best place to bar hop, watch weirdo's and have a cheeseburger. I'm sorry to say I have never eaten at Shopsins, the topic of this fun little documentary. It's just a slice of life little movie about the struggles involved in running a successful restaurant. The topic is mainly how Kenny Shopsin, the eccentric owner, runs the place. Just the fact that many people believed that the, "Soup Nazi" of Seinfeld fame was based on him (although not true) should give you a small idea of what he's like. If you go into the place with a party of five (even if the place is empty) you will be immediately kicked out. The director, Matt Mahurin got the idea for the movie as a regular of the restaurant. To be honest, even with his strict ways and unusual rants, I found Kenny Shopsin to be a pretty decent guy. The documentary captures things at the right time. The place is going to shut down and relocated due to financial reasons and there is some emotion between him and his family, who happen to help him run the place. You may not learn a whole lot watching this but you will likely be entertained. In fact, I just might give the new location a visit when in New York, although I hear if you mention you're there because of the movie, you get kicked out so I may avoid a conversation with Kenny.

tillzen Growing up in NYC one meets a lot of Kenny's.Burnt out damaged toxic bullies who could only exist here or in Paris, where idiots put up with their crap."Shopsins" was a potheads' idea of heaven as the food was huge if often uneven. Seeing the pigsty of a kitchen in this film I have no doubt cannabis or a head injury were somehow involved. Kenny's philosophy is equally messy as his self-hatred and meanness to his family are just plain awful. The film is GREAT but only as a car accident one can not take their eyes off of. Watching it I was reminded of reason 127 why I prefer my West Texas home to NYC ... nobody here is like Kenny! Nobody here would put up with such misanthropic sub-humanism in exchange for a meal. A bully with nothing to bring to the table though on film you can meet him without having to smell him.