Film Review

Space & Environment

The Cook, the Thief, his Wife & her Lover

Director: Peter Greenaway

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The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover is a romantic crime drama that was both written and directed by Peter Greenaway in 1989. The film depicts a narrative which follows a gang leader (Gambon) and his troublesome acts with his associates as they dine daily at a restaurant in which he recently purchased (Figure 1). His wife (Mirren), who attends dinner with him, is tired of her sadistic husband and finds a lover in Michael (Howard), a fellow diner, and from then out begin a relationship together in secret. The production is notable for its incorporation of graphical violence and nudism which shocked audiences during its initial release. Greenaway has produced a uniquely styled film which may not sit well with certain viewers, but the productions artistic style and theatricality is undeniable. The film owes its art direction to Dutch still life paintings, where the style was originally derived from, but also involves something suggestive to gothic themes within the kitchens of the set. Everything about The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover has a powerful sense of menace and has an insanely strong taste in terms of flavour in theme that is portrayed effectively through the films cinematography. Writer Webb states that; The Cook, The Thief His Wife & Her Lover is the cinematic equivalent of a spicy food dish. It's not for everyone, but it has a lot of distinct tastes to offer those who are willing to venture out of their comfort zone (Webb, 2010) The opinion in which Webb shares is agreeable in many senses sharing an overall justification, but furthermore the idiosyncratic elements do expect an acquired taste. The Jacobean influences arguably provide for the starting point from where the distinct flavours begin, involving an uncommon and robust style choice which hadnt been as expressive within cinema. Audiences viewing from a narrow point of view possibly gain an insight for the film being distasteful, but from an open-minded

perspective, the production opens expressive doorways of gloriously rich performances that complement the lavish set design, and help to elaborate both an intricate and ostentatious plot enticing spectator attention from start to finish.

Figure 3 Nudity was a bold choice from Greenaway, and was seen as a shock by viewers, especially in the scenes which involved vivid sexual activity. In modern cinema, scenes of a sexual nature usually either heighten the tempo or express a deep romance, however, here it is hard not feel as if the scenes are purposely composed to provide a break from the obnoxious behaviours of Albert and the chaos which unfolds within the restaurant, to instead develop a mellow, calmer mood in a soothing space within the kitchens. Ebert acknowledges; The sex scenes in this movie are as hungry and passionate as any I have seen, and yet they are upstaged by the rest of the film, which is so uncompromising in its savagery that the sex seems tranquil by comparison (Ebert, 1999) Eberts opinion shares a view that debatably could have various interpretations or meanings, with one possibly stating that these sensual scenes arent as hungry or passionate as the other acts which, in a sense, is acceptable. The juxtaposition between characters provide for this vibe as the conventions build upon these scenes in a satisfying manner. For example; the animosity you feel towards Alberts treating of Georgina as a viewer strengthens the way in which you interpret the bond between her and Michael. This reflection argues that the true elements which present the more profound emotion within different areas of the film are the ones that lead to the affective events. Additionally, suggestive comparisons between the relationships of food and sex are drawn on over these scenes, and also imply similar ideas between life and death.

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On top of the films already graphical nature, the set and costume design as well as the sound production all complete this as an experience to remember. The Cook, The Thief His Wife & Her Lover involved many artists in its production and combines multitudes of talents and skills to create a cinematic experience which expresses a lot of finery in regards to the desired things in life, however, suggests that no matter how wonderful or visually pleasing things appear, the negative hungers that humanity crave will still seep through. Reviewers Frederic and MaryAnn Brussats share a similar view. Beneath the thin veneer of civilization lovely art objects, fine clothes, gourmet food, and classic literature our insatiable appetites for cruelty, violence, racism, and power keep us slathering at the level of beasts. (Brussats, 2004) All of these elements united create a highly melodramatic artwork. The peculiar theatrical camera work from Sacha Vierny, the beautiful costumes design from JeanPaul Gaultier, and the chillingly pulsating soundscape from Michael Nyman, all make The Cook, The Thief His Wife & Her Lover a highly dramatized and emotional film which grips and disgusts viewers while entertaining in a horrifically comedic way.

Review Bibliography

References Webb, C (2010) available at: www.411mania.com; www.411mania.com/movies/columns/155093/Nether-Regions-09.28.10:-The-CookThe-Thief-His-Wife-&-Her-Lover.htm [accessed online on 12 December 2012].

Ebert, R (1999) available at: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com; http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990101/REVIEWS/90 1010301/1023 [accessed online on 13 December 2012]. Brussat, F & M (2007) available at: www.rottentomatoes.com; www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=9082 [accessed online on 12 December 2012]. Illustrations Figure 1: http://cdn2b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ee/17/ee170e f5ce2ba36c9ed3756840a43e3f.jpg Figure 2: http://aka.media.entertainment.sky.com/image/unscaled/2011/10/31/SVOD-L-TheCook-The-Thief-His-Wife-And-Her-Lover.jpg Figure 3: www.qubmovies.com/buy-the-cook-the-thief-his-wife-her-lover-movie3410.html Figure 4: www.qubmovies.com/buy-the-cook-the-thief-his-wife-her-lover-movie3410.html