the cook, the thief, his wife & her lover (1989) - peter greenaway - film review

7/30/2019 The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) - Peter Greenaway - Film Review

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Film Review Space & Environment

The Cook, the Thief, his Wife & her LoverDirector: Peter Greenaway

Figure 1 Figure 2

The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Loveris 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 Loverhas

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 hadn t

been as expressive within cinema. Audiences viewing from a narrow point of viewpossibly gain an insight for the film being distasteful, but from an open-minded


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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 hungryor

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.

Figure 4


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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 Loverinvolved 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 Jean-

Paul Gaultier, and the chillingly pulsating soundscape from Michael Nyman, all makeThe Cook, The Thief His Wife & Her Lovera highly dramatized and emotional film

which grips and disgusts viewers while entertaining in a horrifically comedic way.


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Review Bibliography

References

Webb, C (2010) available at: www.411mania.com;

www.411mania.com/movies/columns/155093/Nether-Regions-09.28.10:-The-Cook-

The-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 12December 2012].

Illustrations

Figure 1: http://cdn2-

b.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-The-Cook-The-Thief-His-Wife-And-Her-Lover.jpg

Figure 3: www.qubmovies.com/buy-the-cook-the-thief-his-wife-her-lover-movie-

3410.html

Figure 4: www.qubmovies.com/buy-the-cook-the-thief-his-wife-her-lover-movie-

3410.html

the cook, the thief, his wife & her lover (1989) - peter greenaway - film review

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