By: Bryane Escobar
A review of the film, “The Menu.”
The Menu is a Horror/ Thriller film centered around a mysteriously exclusive restaurant on a private island. I highly recommend this film, so for the purpose of spoilers I would recommend you stop reading here and come back at another time.
For those who have seen the film, welcome. Firstly, let’s start with the cinematography as the tension rises the distance between the camera and the cast decreases.
The movie begins with cinematic landscaped shots of the island, and as the movie stabilizes, the camera takes a steady role in an over-the-shoulder perspective, and it finishes out with a close-up shot of the victims of the “S’mores” process, leaving a horrific view with the audience as the movie closes on Erin, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. Overall, the tension created by the camera increases proportionally.
In regards to the overarching plot, it’s also handled fantastically.
Nearly every important character in the main cast has strong motivations that allow their character to steadily develop. And, to stop the plot from becoming stale or predictable, there are many shocking developments and reveals strewn about.
As for the side characters, although not much time is spent with them, the lines and delivery perfectly display their personalities and states of mind.
The most intricately unique parts of the story are the meals surrounding the menu itself. Each meal represents a moral both inside and outside of the story itself. I could talk about this aspect of the story all day however, I will only harp on one example. That being the breadless bread plate.
The restaurant is filled with elitist customers and head Chef Slowik, played by Ralph Fiennes, makes the conscientious decision to serve them a breadless bread plate. Bread is the food of the “Common Man” and, everyone being served is extremely far from “common.”
They would not want low-class food to spoil the rest of the flavors on the plate. This point revolves back around the characters with Erin being the only person to be served bread with her order of the cheeseburger at the end of the film. She truly represents this “common man”.
I didn’t provide much detail to the story because I truly feel that every person can focus on a different point creating a unique perspective or moral behind the story. My hope is to bring people to watch it. I absolutely recommend taking some time out of your day and giving this a focused watch. And as you watch, look for the details, they absolutely make the film.
Bryane Escobar
Tags: movie review, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, review
