“He’s dead. They stuffed him with pages torn from his favorite book. Could you cook him?”
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Synopsis:
When a boorish restaurant owner (Michael Gambon) discovers that his wife (Helen Mirren) has been having an affair with a customer (Alan Howard), he seeks gruesome revenge — but Mirren strikes back, enlisting the help of the restaurant’s sympathetic chef (Richard Bohringer).
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Genres:
- Black Comedy
- Cannabilism
- Infidelity
- Revenge
Review:
Peter Greenaway’s highly stylized, sexually explicit black comedy is not an easy movie to sit through, and will likely be a “once see” for most film fanatics. While clearly meant to be viewed symbolically rather than literally — most critics readily acknowledge the film as a political allegory for Margaret Thatcher’s corrupt, class-based government — the fact remains that the scenario played out on screen is deeply disturbing, as we watch a dangerous game of wills between domineering husband and cowed wife head inexorably towards its gruesome denouement. Fortunately, Greenaway’s lush, color-drenched visuals — and the remarkably sexy middle-aged Mirren — are enough to hold one’s attention most of the time, while the truly shocking final scene makes the remainder of this notorious film worth suffering through.
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
- Helen Mirren as “the wife”
- Michael Gambon as “the thief”
- Marvelously detailed set designs
- Playful use of color schemes
- The infamous final revenge scene
Why is This a Must See Film?
Links:
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Posted on September 30th, 2007 by admin
Filed under: Other Titles
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