The Menu – Review
106 Minutes, Rated R
Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy
Directed by Mark Mylod
**NOTE: this post will be updated with audio once we actually have the chance to talk about it. Until then, you can read Mark’s review below. Stay tuned.**
Synopsis:
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
The Hawthrone, an exclusive restaurant, headed by the most revered chef (“Chef”) in the world, set on an isolated island, gathers only a dozen guest for any particular meal. It’s another stellar night, with a guest list populated by the richest of the rich, along with Chef’s superfan, Tyler (played by Nicholas Hoult), and his date, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy).
But all is not as it seems in this posh setting. Secrets abound, not just among the elite (or those who think themselves elite) guests, but among Chef and his staff, as well.
Without getting too deeply into spoiler territory, let me just give you some general observations/opinions:
- Rich people being (and acting) rich
- “Societal pomposity”
- Eat the Rich -> Feed the Rich -> rinse and repeat
- Occupy the Kitchen
- Do you like s’mores? You won’t after this movie
- The performances are all very good, especially Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy
- Speaking of, watching Anya eat a cheeseburger is a divine experience, not to be missed
If you don’t think too hard about the film, it’s a perfect blend of performance and fun, but one which won’t linger too long on the palate after the meal ends. Like many of the courses Chef has prepared for his guests this evening, they are meant to be appreciated in the moment (no photos of the dinner), not for wider consumption.
Ergo, The Menu is a fun way to spend an evening, but don’t obsess too much about it afterwards.
Unless you feel you deserve to be seated at one of The Hawthorne’s limited tables, of course.
The Menu hits theaters on November 18 and stars Ralph Feinnes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, John Leguizamo, Aimee Carrero, Judith Light, Paul Adelstein, Hong Chau, Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, Christina Brucato, and Reed Birney.
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