The Menu (2022)
When renowned chef Julian Slowik – Ralph Fiennes, who pitches his role perfectly, somewhere between Gordon Ramsay and Hannibal Lecter (had he become a culinary celebrity rather than a cannibal) – hosts an evening meal in his remote-island restaurant, haute cuisine becomes haute tension as the dishes are served.
The Menu is a black comedy with bite, thanks to a sharp script that keeps the portions of satire and the dollops of horror/thriller elements doled-out in perfect measure, with the assured direction and cast members keeping the simmering concoction of chuckles and pressure bubbling along nicely.
In some ways, it reminds me (in a positive way) of the best Roald Dahl stories I read as a child: every character is, in their own way, somewhat repugnant and deserving of the crow upon which they must dine. Despite this, it’s a credit to the writing team that they managed to retain enough balance to ensure that none of the characters – antagonist and protagonist alike – become hammy caricatures; you’ll still feel sympathy and loathing by turns for every monster at the table. Even the one person most people will be rooting for is an atypical character and not the squeaky-clean stereotype that is a common trope of these just desserts style of stories. (It’s equally a tonic to see that the respective actor also seems to relish in this, rather than playing to be liked, happy to portray the thorns and the rose in equal measure). This not only keeps things interesting for the viewer, but means that the outcomes and fates of all those involved remains unpredictable until the last reel.
For people who love film – be they the avid fan, the professional critic, or somewhere betwixt – the movie pointedly leaves some food for thought, evoked especially in the line: “You are why the mystery has been drained from our art. You see that now, don’t you?” It left me chewing over my own status as a cineaste and someone who enjoys writing about movies casually: am I, too, guilty of destroying the illusion? At what point does some people’s thirst for gathering and disseminating film trivia snap the magic beyond breaking point? When do cold overanalysis and fanatic obsession become celluloid vivisection?
It’s a testament to how well-cooked is every item on The Menu that it left me thinking about each mouthful well after the final course had been consumed.