Those who have been following my blog for a little while will know that from time to time I love nothing more than taking the long trip to London to enjoy some theatrical experience (the last of which you can read about at https://rhysreviews.com/2022/11/01/frozen-production-review/) and we are constantly on the lookout for ways to make these trip more affordable. From getting my tickets via today’s tixs to using a group-on for meals or utilising a friend’s discounts for hotels or using time credits for unique experiences, it’s always important that I make sure the adventure around London does not break the bank! Due to this economical mindset (not just for London trips but for general), I always feel out of my comfort zone when I am exposed to high-class dining experiences. Any dinner table with more than one set of cutlery per person sends me into a spiral and I’m still getting used to grown adults referring to me as sir. My lack of experience in the finer things in life led me to believe that the peak of luxury in terms of cinema experiences was waiter service on a personal sofa (which is available at Everyman Cinema Cardiff which you can read about at https://rhysreviews.com/2021/08/10/jungle-cruise-screening-experience-review/) however my recent Fork n Film experience has truly opened my eyes to how opulent a movie screening can be!
Going into this experience, I was a little concerned as I have never actually seen Disney’s Princess and the Frog and so I was worried that I would miss the importance of key dishes but this was absolutely not the case. The movie is simple enough that I could quickly grasp the plot and enjoy the storyline even with the occasional lapse in focus to enjoy a delicious course being hand delivered to my table. The creators of Fork n Film have thought carefully about not only the film selection but also the course that accompanies each section of the film as it was all totally cohesive. From the moment you step into the Mondrian Hotel in Shoreditch, you are instantly transported to a world of luxury with staff greeting you at every point on your journey to the movie theatre and ensuring your every need is catered to swiftly and with a smile. Upon entry into the theatre, the audience was treated to a fabulous performance by the incredible Firefly trio who performed a series of songs that fitted the New Orleans infusion of Princess and the Frog itself. They showcased their renditions of Down by the Riverside (which holds a special place in my heart as this was a song we would perform in high school choir), an even jazzier rendition of “King of the Jungle from The Jungle Book (which also holds a special place in my heart as I once played Baloo in my primary school musical production) and the classic “when the saints come marching in” which saw the audience singing along with the wonderful performers.
Everybody knows that the first thing that pops into your mind when you think about cinema snacks is popcorn and that is exactly what we were given to enjoy throughout the experience but it was the rest of the treats that had the audience absolutely hooked! The whole premise of this Fork n Film experience is that you can be immersed in the world of cinema while enjoying meals from the movie that is unfolding right in front of your eyes. At the beginning of Princess and the Frog, Tiana and her father are making a special gumbo that comes with a side of hot sauce and almost magically in front of me appeared a small bowl of soup with a side of the same hot sauce. This dish was delicious which was a fabulous way to start the experience! Also included in the price were two cocktail courses the first of which was a wonderful cocktail served in a skull as dry ice erupted from the glass. On top of all this theatrics, the whole drink was served in a tarot card coaster which perfectly tied into the voodoo elements of Dr Facilier. People who know me in real life will know I have an affection towards the dramatic so seeing this every detail of this cocktail being carefully thought out while also having the excitement of dry ice was truly a spectacle but what was extra special was that the drink itself was incredible. We were also treated to another drink later in the show which had the most fantastic sugared rim complete with mardi gra beads draped around the glass as the movie displayed a mardi gra festival. Another course saw the waiters and waitresses bring out a plate of what I assume was fish goujons with a terrifying crocodile head adorning the meal while the characters of the screen adventure through a croc-infused swamp! The final course was a delicious doughnut pretzel-style dish that came out with an amazing sparkler as the character celebrated overcoming the evil Dr. Faciler. Again the theatrics of this dish were amazing but what was even better was the fact that the dessert was absolutely gorgeous!
So we do have to talk about the price point of this experience which is a massive £120 per person. Now while this is an immense amount of money to spend on a cinema experience, I think that it is absolutely worth every single penny. Each course has been carefully curated to not only match the movie but also to taste delicious in its own right, the service is absolutely flawless with the staff waiting on your every word, and the band were not only a treat for the ears but also fitted the theme of the evening flawlessly and we have to keep some allowance for the event taking place in London which is always more experience than it’s ritual counterparts. However, I am totally aware that £120 per person is a massive amount of money to spend in one go and so I think this is the sort of thing you would do every week but instead reserved for milestone dates, special anniversaries or important birthdays. Due to the price point, I would also say that Fork n film caters towards a more mature audience (despite the film selection) and younger audience members can enjoy the experience but I am not sure they will get as much out of it as an adult would!
Overall, Fork n Film is an incredible multi-sensual experience that allows the audience to totally immerse themselves in their favourite films. From the moment you step into the venue are feel like royalty as you navigate through this unique cinema experience. I do have to say that due to the price point, this is not something you could do regularly but is the ideal activity for a milestone date or important date! It is the perfect gift for any Disney adult in your life! I would award Fork n Film the first ever Rhys Review 6 out of 5 stars! You can book your own experience at Fork n Film at https://www.forknfilm.com/?fbclid=PAAaacSkTNN4XRb2ah7xLgle-VmlR8cjbDI8WXLguR68SDsNTUsZDOGK_5Y_E_aem_AZjh4Q52_nVzByWkyzpSYax0Nra6WM2eIVT5AVsousXNkaKZy2K7JGc3NcP7Pzh6EM0
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