The Automat
Watch TrailerThe 100-year story of the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, the inspiration for Starbucks, where generations of Americans ate and drank coffee together at communal tables. From the perspective of former customers, we watch a business climb to its peak success and then grapple with fast food in a forever changed America.
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📋 Film Details
| Year | 2021 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Genre | Documentary, History |
| Director | Lisa Hurwitz |
| Runtime | 79 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 6.8/10 (20 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
The film constructs its narrative by relying on a chorus of heartfelt testimonies and rich archival footage, exploring the Automat as both a business and a vital social institution. It builds a compelling case for this lost space of democratic dining.
What lingers after the credits is a poignant sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of communal civility, a reminder of what fast culture has left behind. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Lisa Hurwitz
Best Watched
Best enjoyed with a cup of coffee, allowing its nostalgic and reflective pace to fully settle in.
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