In an age where commentary on society, the class divide and the narrative of “eat the rich” might seem ridiculously overdone by the film industry, Mark Mloyd’s ‘The Menu’, is a satirical film that manages to portray similar themes with an exceptionally refreshing and original take. The film walks a fine line between a thriller and a comedy with the help of stunning cinematography, clever dialogue and the skilful use of music and theatrics while also applying just the right amount of absurdism leaving its audience with a thought-provoking message coupled with a good share of laughs.
The story of ‘The Menu’ follows a young couple- Tyler and Margot (played by Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy) - who take a trip to an expensive and discreet island to eat at the restaurant of a celebrated chef- Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) who is known for his exclusivity and inaccessibility to the masses. The couple gets into a speedboat, accompanied by ten other people of the “elite class” of Americans from different fields such as business, film, food critics and more. On arrival at the island, we start to notice a more eerie undertone to the movie as it starts to reveal tiny quirks that may not seem very significant at first. The guests are taken on a tour across the island where they learn that it is a self-sustainable island that grows all the possible ingredients that are later used in the kitchens to prepare their dishes. Eventually, the guests are led to the main restaurant where they are seated in designated places and told they will be served soon. After a short wait, Chef Slowik finally presents himself as he addresses the guests. He gives an elaborate explanation before each course is served that comes off as borderline arrogant and ostentatious. So far, everything seems like a normal day out for a bunch of rich pretentious people who want to experience the “wonders of fine dining” right? WRONG. Soon after the third course is served, the movie takes an unexpected turn and starts to reveal shocking truths about each of the characters. Amid all the confusion, Chef Slowik confesses that each of the guests represents a reason for his loss of passion for cooking- except one guest who wasn’t meant to be there- Margot Mills.
Now, I won’t spoil the movie for you (the twists are riveting, you’re welcome) however, I will write about the things that stood out to me.
‘The Menu’, is more than just a film, it is a commentary on various issues that are very real to society such as the superficiality of the wealthy, consumer culture and the class divide between the rich elite and the working class. However, the masterful way in which these themes have been woven into the plot of this movie is what made it so stimulating to my mind.
It is observed that each character in the film represents a certain idea that the film is trying to mock. We see how Tyler- someone who thirsts for the validation of the chef and acts like he knows everything about cooking- really does not seem to care about the food being served but rather the idea it is sold with. He seems to be obnoxious in the sense that he only wants to impose his superiority over the people around him by talking about his knowledge of Chef Slowik’s ways rather than acknowledging the painstaking process of creating the dish itself. We see Lillian- the food critic- and her editor- Ted- who were both guilty of writing and publishing bad reviews that destroyed the livelihoods of many aspiring chefs without giving a thought to their struggles. The three young men- who seemed to only give something value based on the price tag attached to it. The failing actor- Mr Diaz- who Chef Slowik considers a scary reminder of what happens to an artist when they lose their passion, and finally, the wealthy couple- Richard and Anne- who seemed to be regulars in the restaurant but could not remember a single dish they had eaten over the many years of dining there.
The reason this film intrigued me so much is because of the importance of the message it was trying to send. In the age where art is viewed through a facade created by consumerism and mob mentality, there is a striking lack of genuine appreciation for the efforts and work that is put into creating the art itself. Many artists (represented by Chef Slowik in the film) everywhere seem to lose their passion for creating solely because the people who consume the art do not truly understand its value, but rather give in to the superficial grandeur surrounding it. To those who view the world through price tags and facades, the value of the art is only as good as the packaging through which it is sold.
In conclusion, ‘The Menu’ is a film that will be talked about for many years to come. Every single person in the film contributes just the right amount to make it a wonderful viewing experience for the audience. The perfect balance maintained by each character when it comes to their expressions, dialogues, and behaviours comes together in a beautiful blend making the film a magnificent work of art that is both enjoyable and unsettling all at once. Its creative direction, shocking twists, enthralling soundtrack and refreshing originality make it a remarkable movie to watch.
IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
You’re welcome <3