I love food. Well, I love to eat, at least. However, since about as far back as I can remember, I have been a rather picky eater. There were times when I struggled to get down certain foods because the smell and/or taste was too much for me to digest, literally, and I am afraid to say that not much has changed, even today. Knowing this, I have had more than my fair share of moments in which I was invited to someone’s home for lunch (or dinner) and I became anxious about what they might be serving. As you may have guessed, it is not always easy for me to pretend that a certain food item bothers me. Specific muscles in my face twitch, seemingly involuntary, and I am faced with the terrible dilemma of faking my way through an entire meal.
Having said all that, I have yet to be faced with a scenario involving food which could make or break my entire existence. Would anything be different if that ever occurred? I usually try not to “waste” my time with hypotheticals, but recently I have discovered a potential reason to do so, as far-fetched as it may well be…
“The Menu” is directed by Mark Mylod (“What’s Your Number?”) and it is his latest movie project since 2011, although he has stayed pretty active in the realm of television. The screenplay has been credited to Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. The premise for this film was apparently inspired by a restaurant experience Tracy had while away on a honeymoon. Also on board for the movie was highly experienced, but, perhaps, unheralded cinematographer Peter Deming (“The New Mutants”). After reviewing all of his film credentials, I think it is safe to say that this might be is most-prestigious title to date. Throw in the likes of editor Christopher Tellefsen (“The Many Saints of Newark”) and music composer Colin Stetson (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) and you are quickly looking direct;y into the eyes of a shining example for Oscar “bait.” I have yet to even reach the list of cast stars, mind you. That illustrious list includes: Ralph Fiennes (“The King’s Man”) as Julian Slowik, Anya Taylor-Joy (“The Northman”) as Margot, Nicholas Hoult (“Those Who Wish Me Dead”) as Tyler, Hong Chau (“The Whale”) as Elsa, Janet McTeer (“The Exception”) as Lillian Bloom, Judith Light (“Tick, Tick… Boom!”) as Anne and John Leguizamo (“Violent Night”) as Movie Star, among many others.
The story begins with Margot and Tyler as they anxiously await the arrival of a ferry boat, which will take them to a very small and exclusive island, where a special restaurant is located. 
Actually, it is only Tyler who is truly psyched up for this experience. Margot is merely tagging along for the ride. If she only knew what awaits! The remainder of the prospective guests begin to arrive and Tyler makes his predictions as to who will be alert and whom will be in a drunken state by the shank of the evening. If only HE knew what really awaits…
The island looks like a dried up and uninhabited wasteland along the beachfront, which is populated by large bones, or so it appears. Could this mean something, symbolically? A quiet and direct host, Elsa, guides the current guests toward the restaurant. Along the way, there are various deposits and structures for the various foods and residents of the island, which are solely made up of the restaurant staff, including the celebrity chef, Julian. This place looks well-manicured, but hauntingly sterile and emotionless. Why is that? Let us try to find out!
This is no ordinary meal, as you probably would have guessed. If you thought that the entrée descriptions and presentations from the tales of Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho” were ridiculous,
just hold your horses and take a gander at THIS lavish, molecular gastronomy, all in full effect at Hawthorne. Remind me to look elsewhere if I ever happen to stumble upon any restaurant which goes by that name. You will understand when it is all said and done. Trust me.
Over time, the guests become restless with the process, which involves them as much as it does the staff. The dining experience seems to not only showcase a unique response from each, individual member, but it also exposes them for their various strengths and weaknesses. Was this by design or just an unavoidable consequence? You will soon find out that there was, indeed, a plan, but it was easily disrupted by one little change in the details. Think about how that might be reflected in the mind of an obsessive chef who demands nothing short of perfection in his cuisine.
I would be lying if I said that there were not some moments of shock, coupled by plenty of laughs, 
independent of the bulk of humor, throughout “The Menu.” Unlike the speculation levied upon the chef, it was clear from the first few moments of the film that much love and attention was garnered in the making of this movie. The story had a nice pace to it and the images, whether it be due to the camera angles and/or the colors on screen, were often appropriately vibrant and exciting to look at.
What the story really comes down to is understanding the things that make others tick or could persuade them to join your side of things. In some cases, those things are basic and extreme, within the context of the film. To have an understanding of your predator (or prey) means to earn their respect and with respect come certain advantages. With those advantages, you might just be able to salvage your own life.
Fiennes is sure to receive plenty of praise and notoriety for his performance, but Hoult and Chau, as great as everyone else was, deserve their own sets of high praise. I found almost nothing to be negative about with this film and I am convinced “The Menu” will attract plenty of award nominations over the next few months ahead of us. Aside from the strong acting, the writing, editing, directing and camera work should all be taken into account. If you know what to expect, in terms of the approach, I see no reason why you would walk out of the theater disappointed, in the least. Round two, in my case, of the Oscar bait season was a great success.
Director: Mark Mylod
Screenwriters: Seth Reiss and Will Tracy
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, John Lequizamo, Reed Birney as Richard Liebbrandt, Paul Adelstein as Ted, Aimee Carrero as Felicity, Arturo Castro as Soren, Mark St. Cyr as Dave, Rob Yang as Bryce, Rebecca Koon as Linda and Peter Grosz as Sommelier
Cinematography: Peter Deming
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Release: September 10th, 2022 (TIFF) and November 18th, 2022 (USA)
