December 12th, 2023 — Simplee Pho: 15265 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124 — Dream Scenario, Kristoffer Borgli, 2023
“While Dream Scenario might have been a movie of dreams and nightmares, at Simplee Pho there were only dreams.”
Jack Mettlach
Simplee put, simplee pho conjured up visions of a delightful, potpourri-filled kitchen (or should I say… PHO-pourri). Fragrances of cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and anise filled the large bowl and brought me home for the holidays, resulting in a “christmasy” broth. The pho itself had a lot of meat and was very filling. While there disappointingly was no chili oil to be found, the broth didn’t need it, and frankly was better off without it!
Dream Scenario you could say was a potpourri of movie genres. Was it a comedy? Was it a horror? Was it a sci-fi-documentary-drama??? Who can say! But it had the greatest fart joke in cinema history. I had a pleasant experience watching, and I walked away with a chuckle of disbelief. It may not be Nic Cage’s best movie, but a movie doesn’t have to be “the best” to be entertaining. I’m sure I’ll have a few dreams about this phomovie combo!
Pho: 4.5/5 — Movie: 4/5 — Phởmovie: 4.5/5
Aaron Faugstad
While Dream Scenario might have been a movie of dreams and nightmares, at Simplee Pho there were only dreams.
I enjoyed Dream Scenario – it provided broad commentaries on being stuck in life, cancel culture, social median, predatory marketing techniques, and even France’s obsession with alt-characters. The movie paired well with the Special Pho at Simplee Pho. In contrast to the movie, there was no mystery as to what was going on with the pho. Solid broth, balanced complexity of flavors, delicious meats, and with the lime and jalapeños: Simplee divine.
Phởmovie: 4/5
Ege Zeytun
Simplee Pho’s vegetable tofu pho hit my tastebuds in the right spots with its delicious broth. The spice mélange was rich and complex, yet not over-the-top. This is weirdly in parallel with Dream Scenario, in which Kristoffer Borgli mixes top notch comedic moments with a deeply disturbing plot, creating a mocie that may not be rand, but still satisfying in its message, directing, and acting. TLDR; 4 points for Dream Scenario. I would have given my pho a stellar 5 if it wasn’t for the stale tofu and the undercooked mushrooms, so I’m going with a 4 for now.
Pho: 4/5 — Movie: 4/5 — Phởmovie: 4/5
Jon Wolfrath
Simplee Pho has no weaknesses — high quality beef, generous quantity, heavenly aromatics. The broth was sweet and woody with prominent cardamom and cinnamon flavors. Because our bill was over $50 we were gifted a free ‘Simplee Pho’ hat (a bribe perhaps?). We do openly accept bribes from pho restaurants.
Don’t overthink Dream Scenario and let it take you on a wild ride of Nicolas Cage’s rise and demise from ephemeral fame. It was original, unpredictable, and well-acted. Kristoffer Borgli somehow wrote a legitimately funny dark comedy without being whimsical or sacrificing plot, which seems to be a rare combo these days. But with the chosen premise, the ceiling could only be so high.
Pho: 4.5/5 — Movie: :4/5 — Phởmovie: 4.5/5