The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

[Connemara]

I feel like vomiting, but I must say that this is one of the best films I have seen.

 

[holymadness]

No spoilers.

 

[Nantucket Red]

I saw it years ago and sort of vaguely remember it.

 

[Connemara]

Spoiler: Helen Mirren is naked a lot.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Dude... I told you to watch that months ago. I think.

 

[LabelKing]

I think Gaultier designed the costumes.

 

[Get Smart]

such a great movie. I remember people puking in theatres when it came out. During our show no one puked that I know of, but you could sorta smell lingering vomit stench in the air

and yes Helen Mirren in her day was the hotness!! (excalibur....

)

 

[life_interrupts]

Good movie, disturbing ending. No vomiting.

 

[globetrotter]

I saw this when it came out. I remember really not liking it.

 

[Thomas]

Saw this in college as part of an 'art-house' series. This was...92? Compelling and disturbing at the same time. Liked it, might have to see again.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I think Gaultier designed the costumes.
Yep. The film's formalism is very extravagant. The use of color was brilliant!

 

[Biscione]

In my opinion, one of Greenaway's weakest films. Not a bad film, but it pales when compared to some of the other things he has done. Why it is so acclaimed when movies like Zoo: a Zed and Two Noughts or Drowning by Numbers are obscure is completely beyond me. I think that it might have something to do with it being one of his few movies in which there's a consistent quality of acting. He doesn't seem to care much about the art of acting, but most audiences can't see past bad actors; The Belly of an Architect is particularly offensive in this regard, bar Dennehy. It's also certainly a lot less cerebral and challenging than his other work, making it more accessible. I think that it lacks in his normal aesthetic grandeur as well, although the use of colours is nice (you would have noticed that the wardrobe changes between the differently coloured rooms are detailed enough for the soles of Mirren's shoes to change). In short, to me it's 'Greenaway meets Hollywood'.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Biscione

In my opinion, one of Greenaway's weakest films. Not a bad film, but it pales when compared to some of the other things he has done. Why it is so acclaimed when movies like Zoo: a Zed and Two Noughts or Drowning by Numbers are obscure is completely beyond me. I think that it might have something to do with it being one of his few movies in which there's a consistent quality of acting. He doesn't seem to care much about the art of acting, but most audiences can't see past bad actors; The Belly of an Architect is particularly offensive in this regard, bar Dennehy. It's also certainly a lot less cerebral and challenging than his other work, making it more accessible. I think that it lacks in his normal aesthetic grandeur as well, although the use of colours is nice (you would have noticed that the wardrobe changes between the differently coloured rooms are detailed enough for the soles of Mirren's shoes to change). In short, to me it's 'Greenaway meets Hollywood'.
My friend told me that Zed is fantastic. After doing some solo research, I've determined that I really want to see Drowning next. I'm assuming it's great?

 

[Biscione]

Originally Posted by Connemara

My friend told me that Zed is fantastic. After doing some solo research, I've determined that I really want to see Drowning next. I'm assuming it's great?

It is great, but quite hard to find. If I were you I'd watch Zed next.

But I'm too much of a fan to offer an objective response. I've loved almost everything he has done, including The Tulse Luper Suitcases and 8 1/2 Women; both of which have lukewarm reputations with many of his fans. Probably the only movie of his that I didn't think much of at all was The Pillow Book.

I'd also strongly suggest that you see The Falls, which was his first real film but is unlike anything you'll ever see, and maybe even his magnum opus.