I’ve loved Aaron Abrams his entire career. From Y.P.F. to Hannibal, he’s been a force in Canadian television and film.

But in all these years, I’ve never quite seem him so unhinged — so incredible — as he is in workplace drama Nose To Tail.

As restaurateur Daniel, he blusters through the proceedings like a rabid wolf in chef’s clothing, demanding your attention and kudos the entire time.

Over the course of a day, Daniel struggles with numerous setbacks, as he faces a flailing restaurant, tries to control his ego, and faces personal tribulations.

Writer-director Jesse Zigelstein gives Abrams all the room to flex he needs, and what we get is a one-two punch of fragile masculinity and a searing search for tranquility and happiness in his life.

Chef Daniel is a complicated — if cliched — man, but he’s also Abrams’ best character since he played brooding father to a gay son in Closet Monster.

Abrams carries this low-budget indie, and he is the reason this flick stands apart from other dramas like it. Front-to-back, this is his kitchen, and he runs hot the entire run-time.

4/5 Stars