The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
Genre: Comedy / Drama
Duration: 124 minuten
Country:
Netherlands / United Kingdom / France
Directed by: Peter Greenaway
Stars: Helen Mirren, Richard Bohringer and Michael Gambon
IMDb score:
7,5 (44.543)
Releasedate: 13 October 1989
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover plot
"Lust...Murder...Dessert. Bon Appetit!"
Every evening, the barbarian leader of a criminal gang, Albert Spica, visits the luxurious restaurant Le Hollandaise, which he co-owns, accompanied by his wife Georgina and a couple of accomplices. When Georgina meets a bookseller at the restaurant one night so different from the ravenous, racist brute that is her husband, she is immediately drawn to him. A passionate relationship develops, with the lovers passionately loving each other every night in a different place in the restaurant. The cook is their helper and accomplice, who always provides a safe place where they can make love. However, their romance is discovered. Spica and his accomplices take revenge in a gruesome way, but this is still child's play compared to what Georgina offers her husband.
Actors and actresses
Richard Boarst
Albert Spica
Georgina Spica
Michael
Mitchel
Cory
Grace
Spangler
Harris
Turpin
Reviews & comments
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31144 messages
- 5447 votes
Overwhelming movie. This is my first time seeing a Peter Greenaway film and I am truly convinced of this man's talent. In 1989 he comes up with a wonderful mix between directors such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Lars Von Trier, as if it is just Greenaway in the end.
The film is straight forward and shows a lot of shouting and bustle by Michael Gambon. But next to that striking figure, the contrast is once great between the silent writer and the restaurant owner's wife. This, in combination with the beautiful colors and the whipping music, ensure beautifully sprouted images that make you look fascinating. The simple setting, which tends towards theater/dogma film, fits like a glove in the direction Greenaway wants to take with the film.
Is the movie great? Yes. Is he perfect? No. I think the beginning is a bit too oversimplified for that and I can't quite agree with the end. But as the film progressed, I did enjoy watching it immensely. This is real cinema with first of all compliments to the director. The picture fits here very well.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Onderhond
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- 87585 messages
- 12833 votes
Review better than expected.
A film that had fallen far behind and where my expectations were therefore slightly lower. Completely wrong as it turns out. This Greenaway has survived time perfectly.
Visually this remains an excellent film, with many nice details. The costumes that switch between rooms, the richly decorated sets and the camera that constantly follows the actors in a straight line. It may look a bit theatrical, but at least visually it is never boring.
The soundtrack is also more than adequate and Gambon/Mirren provide a great piece of acting. Gambon in particular stands out, with his foul-mouthed dialogues and terrible accent, but Mirren is at least as crucial as a counterweight.
This all builds up to a great climax. Nice grotesque and filthy film this one, which still feels quite fresh and unique.
4.5* and a extended review
Translated from Dutch · View original
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