Exploring the Deliciously Dark Whirlwind of "The Menu"
In The Menu, a young couple goes on the island for a lavish dining experience. However, the baffling chef, played by Ralph Fiennes, has something else in store – not quite a meal of shock and surprise woven into a bouillabaisse of haute cuisine, but a night that cascades into the realms of obsession, perfectionism and the inky underbelly of culinary art.
The film is also about obsession, perfectionism and the dark underbelly of culinary art. A keen mix of comedy and horror, it has a satirical, rather chilling feel that explores loyalty, passion and bloodlust, and what happens when people place too much blind trust in others.
Ralph Fiennes is terrific as the talented chef, a man of such refined manners and menace. Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult also play characters caught up in an expensive culinary nightmare, but, with his intensity, he comports with them, rather than against. Their chemistry and resilience give their roles depth, but more importantly their chemistry and resilience.For their part, Director Mark Mylod constructs a unique story and blends genres so that suspense is never broken, never abandoned. The score contributes to the tone of the tension and humor in the film, mirroring the story with appropriate melodies. The narrative does not overpower the music, but rather supports it; the film’s unsettling, though perhaps not particularly engaging, tone retains its intrigue.
It has striking visuals that draw out the opulence of finer dining and the isolation of the remote island. And lighting and composition by cinematographer Peter Deming emphasize the dichotomy between the opulence of sordid indulgence and horror to come.
Production design is painstakingly accurate, from the pristine kitchen to the godly set tables. There is some degree of exclusivity and luxuriousness in these elements, as well as some degree of unease that lies in every scene.|Although not reliant on big effects, the one the designer used sparingly to back up a narrative which takes shocking turns, without detriment to a real world too.|The editing sharp as sharp and precise to pass the story’s twists and turns effectively. It keeps the film charged with satirical intensity and pace. The action is kept in check with introspection, and by design, viewers are kept on track from beginning to end.
The dialog is crisp, smart and clever, like the film’s satire itself, but serves to assist the plot. Tension and humor is brought by the exchanges between characters, which also reveal deeper bits of insight on the personalities and motivations of the characters.
Finally, The Menu deftly combines genres to tell a story, but some might predict the plot turns. Yet, the films concept is singular and the excellent acting again make up for minor shortcomings.
‘The Menu’ is a type of food film you receive orders for. An interesting narrative which comes under the ambit of satire and suspense, delivering a flavour of intrigue and contemplation.
