What’s happening, everybody? Welcome to My Movie Review. My name is Aakib, and today I’m reviewing the satirical pitch-black horror comedy thriller that is THE MENU.
I like this dark comedy with fast pacing and fantastic performances from the talented cast.But before I get into it the menu offers an enticing setup. A couple played by Anya Taylor Joy and Nicholas Holt along with many wealthy and entitled individuals head to an island to eat at an expensive and ultra-exclusive restaurant run by world-renowned chefs. Chef Julian slowly played by Ray Fines suffice it to say that what lies ahead for these customers is far from Pleasant. If you’ve seen the marketing by now you’ll probably have a taste of what’s to come.
But I’m willing to try and avoid revealing much in the way of the plot. Because the film’s momentum depends on the escalating turns and reveals, it’s probably wise if you consume these dishes as fresh as possible in the first half.
The film is directed by MarMilot whose future credits include films such as Sasha Baron Cohen’s comedy Ali G in the house and Romano’s what’s your number? But he’s also directed some high-profile television shows such as Game Of Thrones and the affair with the menu my load Cooks up a highly stylish satire that wonderfully balances thriller elements with some very funny and very, very dark comedy. This is all while serving up commentary on some issues.
Screenwriters Seth Race and Tracy certainly know satire and tackle topical issues with comedy.
They’re both among the minds behind the popular satirical news publication that is The Onion. Tracy’s credits also include Success and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
It’s fair to say that these two have things to say and know how to say them with dark humour. For the most part.
The pair have a great screenplay. This allows the talented ensemble to immerse themselves into characters while serving an overall arc that’s the right canvas for commentary.
The film does perhaps reach a high point when it comes to just how many subjects it wants to touch on. It points at capitalism class Warfare in the hospitality industry elitism Artistic integrity and more and it doesn’t ever feel like Overkill in my work, which is a great Balancing Act, but some bits of the commentary seem as though they’re throwing as slight tidbits for comedy’s sake while other discussion pieces receive clear-cut platforms regardless.
It’s a witty script and one that considering it’s mostly set in one setting is suitable for a stage adaptation down the road.
An issue I did have with the narrative and this doesn’t hold the film back too much by the way is that the prospect of what exactly is going on is so intriguing and exciting that once all is made clear surprisingly early on I was left with the slight feeling of wanting a little more in the surprise box, which is something I felt more in retrospect once the credits had rolled in.
I had a bit of time to think about it all but not too much time because I did want to get this review done ASAP.
I felt like there was little in terms of revealed and shock after the overall plan was clarified.
I want to be clear that I still enjoyed a lot of it and the pacing mostly continues strong but still, it’s the type of film that has you expecting more on the twisty side of things than is offered so seeing as they mess with my expectations maybe that’s a type of twist in itself, oh, and I have to mention that if you’re a foodie this has some hardcore food porn to get those mouths absolutely watering there’s some gorgeously shot cuisine here, in fact, the entire film is visually impressive with every shot oozing confidence and precise framing cinematographer Peter Deming whose credits include Mulholland Drive and The Cabin in the Woods the overall recipe is of course far from complete without one of the film’s key ingredients its fantastic ensemble, and Taylor Joy continues to knock it out of the park he or she gives another strong performance which quickly places us on her side amid all this unfolding craziness.
She also says as much with her silent stairs as she does when it’s time to speak up.
Nicholas Halter is also as talented as her characters’ oh-so-stoppable boyfriends, helping to provide some of the first half’s most amusing moments.
However, it’s where he finds who has command here and finds you so unsettling and unhinged even when he’s composed there is anger sadness frustration disdain often coming from an uncomfortable glare and just the quiver of a lip.
I don’t want to say too much about his character but trust me it’s another superb performance from screen Gray.
I had a great time with THE MENU. It’s a deliciously dark comedy with a good amount to say it’s well directed written and has a cast nailing it every step of the way so four stars out of five.
That’s my review for everyone who has seen the film.