Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover is one of the few films that has made me want to scream out loud in horror.
Sleighted upon early release, The Cook, The Thief etc. has become a cult favorite in recent years. And it's not hard to see why: although the film is dark, depressing and utterly disgusting it is one of the best depictions of decadence ever captured on screen. Almost every character in this film is flawed: The Cook is an egotistical snob who allows thugs into his restaurant simply because he is obsessed with wealth; the thief is one of the most disgusting characters ever captured on screen, the wife takes bloody revenge without battering an eyelid and so on and so on.
There are few redeeming characters in this movie but really, isn't that what life's really like?
Lives intersect, men are murdered, affairs destroy lives in an instant and although the film's end seems initially hopeful we quickly discover no one has pure intent. This movie does not provide us with an easy ending and that's what makes it great. Because in reality, there's no such thing as happiness without a price. And this movie captures that wonderfully. Although you'd never call this movie 'entertainment' I still encourage you to go out and grab a copy of the DVD.
Trust me: This is a movie you'll never forget.
Sleighted upon early release, The Cook, The Thief etc. has become a cult favorite in recent years. And it's not hard to see why: although the film is dark, depressing and utterly disgusting it is one of the best depictions of decadence ever captured on screen. Almost every character in this film is flawed: The Cook is an egotistical snob who allows thugs into his restaurant simply because he is obsessed with wealth; the thief is one of the most disgusting characters ever captured on screen, the wife takes bloody revenge without battering an eyelid and so on and so on.
There are few redeeming characters in this movie but really, isn't that what life's really like?
Lives intersect, men are murdered, affairs destroy lives in an instant and although the film's end seems initially hopeful we quickly discover no one has pure intent. This movie does not provide us with an easy ending and that's what makes it great. Because in reality, there's no such thing as happiness without a price. And this movie captures that wonderfully. Although you'd never call this movie 'entertainment' I still encourage you to go out and grab a copy of the DVD.
Trust me: This is a movie you'll never forget.