Written and directed by Daniel England, The Cock Tavern is no ordinary East London pub. Renowned for its ales and larger-than-life regular, it also plays host to one of the capital’s quirkiest underground traditions: the pickled egg eating competition.
When it comes to the question of: what is British culture? There’s no real, definitive answer, but a couple of things that get semi-close are local oddities and pubs. Particularly ones that are deeply beloved within their own communities, even if they look a little strange or bizarre to other people. How Fast Can You Eat a Pickled Egg? is a pretty fantastic example of that. A classically styled pub and an offhand moment that spirals into something much larger and becomes a silly yet adored tradition.
When How Fast Can You Eat a Pickled Egg? opens there’s this very interesting contrast between the chaos of the visuals and the gentle tone of the dialogue. It’s a great representation of the atmosphere and feel of the film as a whole, a little bit mental but a lot sweet. Daniel England does a wonderful job, alongside co-editor David Lankester, to put this short together in a way that captures the big personality and warm energy at work.
They also manage to strongly portray the sense of tradition and fun, the wholesome nature of this very strange competition. It has a keen feel of community, there’s a youthfulness to the style while also creating an age-less quality. They add that sort of enthusiasm and excitement that’s typically linked to the young but here it’s all-ages.
How Fast Can You Eat a Pickled Egg? lovingly captures a local tradition, it’s silly, strange and joyful. It’s a lovely snapshot of how these traditions can go from a casual instance to a beloved yearly tradition, sparking enthusiasm and excitement from the locals and others who come across it. Daniel England’s directorial style perfectly captures its charm, embracing the oddity to find the wholesome, sweet roots. Pubs are an integral part of Britain and finding one, like The Cock Tavern, that provides a little bit extra, and a unique experience is one of life’s little joys.
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