The Menu 2022

The obscene rich have a hard time in movies these days. Last month, Ruben Ostlund put their couple on a luxury yacht and saw them spit on each other in the Triangle of Sadness. Watch as you think about who the killer is.

The mystery of Knives Out.

But this week, members of his 1% of extremes are stuck with the menu, like skewers and grills. Director Marc Myrod satirizes a very particular kind of elitism here, and portrays the world of gourmets in a highly exaggerated manner. This is a place where macho tech his bros, snotty cultural journalists, washed-up celebrities, and self-confessed foodies assume they're as knowledgeable as the master chef himself. A sharp script by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy is a lot of fun.

But the setting of what happens at this extremely expensive restaurant on the remote island of Hawthorne is more interesting than the actual payoff. The performance remains edgy and the jokes are happily chewy. And "The Menu" is always technically sophisticated. However, you may feel a little hungry after this meal.

Eclectic people board ferries for a quick journey to legendary destinations. Chef Slowick's finely tuned multi-course menus are legendary. “What, shall we eat a Rolex?” An unimpressed Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) jokes with her date, Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), as she waits for the boat to arrive. He considers himself a food lover and he has dreamed of this night for years. She's a cynic to ride with. They're beautiful and look great together, but there's more to this relationship than meets the eye. The actor has a knack for this kind of silly joke, and the ever-brilliant Taylor-Joy brings a playful mix of skepticism and sex appeal to our channel.

Also on board is a once-popular actor (John Leguizamo) and his troubled assistant (Amy Calero). Three obnoxious technicians (Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, Mark St. Cyr). A wealthy old man and his wife (Reed Barney and Judith Wright). and a respected food critic (Janet McTeer) with her relentless editor (Paul Adelstein). But whatever their status, they all pay homage to the stars of the night.

The man whose artistic and inspired work got her there.Ralph Fiennes plays Chef Slowwick with a harmless combination of zen-like poise and obsessive control. He begins each course with thunderous handclaps that Myrod masterfully amplifies to make us nervous, and behind him, his trusty cook, exuberant as if he were a sergeant responds to each of his requests in unison with a "Yes, Chef!" And the increasingly entertaining on-screen descriptions of the dishes make entertaining comments on how the evening unfolds as a whole.  

Of these characters, Barney and Wright are the least developed. It's especially frustrating to have a performer of Light's abilities and see her emaciated with pitifully little to do... She's literally "the wife." Despite her night's disturbing revelations, she has nothing but the instinct to stand dutifully by her husband's side. Conversely, Hong Chau is her MVP in the film as her Elsa, Chef Slowik's right-hand man. She quickly and efficiently guides guests through how the island works before roaming between tables, attending to every need and quietly judging. she says:

"Enjoy watching our chefs innovate," with absolute authority and no irony, greatly enhances the restaurant's wonderful atmosphere.

The personalized hospitality each guest receives at the outset is thoughtful and the kind of pampering you'd expect when you pay a high price. But over time, the specially tailored dishes take on an intrusive, ominous and violent tone, clever to onlookers and terrifying to diners. is. Yet, like any other recent film that denounces the ultra-rich, Menu ultimately tells us nothing we don't already know. The message will be straightforward and clear. Overwhelming wealth corrupts people. you don't say that

But "The Menu" is a compelling piece of music that is a feast for the eyes and ears. Peter Deming's dreamlike cinematography makes this private his island incredibly idyllic. Ethan Tobman's sleek and chic production design immediately conveys an atmosphere of understated luxury, while Mylod explores the space in inventive ways, putting into action not only the food overhead, but the restaurant floor itself. . And Colin Stetson's cynical, playful score reinforces the film's rhythm, steadily building tension.