A Film Review of The Menu (2022)

 


"You don't think Chef is mad at me, do you?"


    Over the course of the year, The Menu became one of the more anticipated films of the fall. The trailer for the movie showed before seemingly every movie that was shown in theaters this year. Plus, the cast includes longtime greats like Ralph Fiennes and John Leguizamo, and newer favorites like Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult. All of the marketing capitalized on the mystery of this plot: what happens at this dinner gone wrong? How many ingredients of horror or comedy is there in this five course meal? While the directing is strong and the lead performances shine, The Menu is as overcomplicated as some of the dishes that it showcases. This is a shame given the brisk pacing and short run time. 

    Without getting into spoiler filled territory, many of the characters in this film have one note personalities. In a film with so many principle characters, that wouldn't normally be a problem, but this film overstuffs each plate with too much plot, which buries the original satire behind each character. So after the meal is finished, the intended satire becomes confused over plot details that didn't need to be there in the first place. Like any five course meal, there are satirical elements that do land and jokes that do tonally work in the world of the film, and then there are jokes that are overdone and take you out of the experience entirely. 

    The director, Mark Mylod, brought a unique chaotic rawness to the film that elevates the performances of the two main leads, even when the writing muddies his intentions. Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy are two powerhouses that command the screen every time they are in frame. Their struggle throughout the film is where the satire and the drama work best, with each of their arcs being the most satisfying to see unfold.

    As overdone as it may be at times, this is a truly original film that does not overstay its welcome. There is creativity brimming from every course, even if that creative energy can be overbearing at times. The food may have had its flaws, but it was a dining experience that I won't soon forget. 


The Menu: 3/5, 6/10, B-

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