Set!

Humans will find a way to compete at almost anything. For this, I am thankful, because our innate drive to win a first prize ribbon leads to some might fine story-telling. For which, I’m sure, the story-tellers could win all kinds of ribbons.

Set! follows competitors in the table setting division at California’s annual Orange County Fair.

Do you like intrigue? Long-standing grudges? Bright-eyed newcomers? All are there—and we get to follow half-a-dozen contestants as they define their tablescape vision and accumulate all of the bits and bobs needed to make it come to life.

It’s both creative and practical, tablesetting. The contestants also need to satisfy the strict judges, who definitely know the difference between a soup spoon and a dessert spoon as well as how many centimeters each needs to be from the edge of the table.

Not all plans come to fruition, which is what keeps the narrative churning along. The right crystal goblets are hard to find. Wine bottles break when it’s least convenient. Plus, it’s impossible to get fake blood at Michael’s in the spring.

But the documentary is not a how-to. Instead it’s a character study of the very human humans who have chosen this lifestyle. Some come from a place of privilege. At least one will break your heart. All, however, are taking a risk with their creative selves, as one competitor says.

It’s that risk that we can all identify with, no matter how inclined we are to vie for a prize at the county fair.