“What are we eating, a Rolex?” That question sets the stage for the dark comedy ‘The Menu.’ Welcome to the world of fine dining. This is a diabolically funny satire on the ultra rich. It’s where a group of pretentious one-percenters gather to eat an upscale meal on a private island. The morality play is delicious. At the fictional restaurant Hawthorne, a dozen customers pay $1250 a head for the ultimate dining experience. As the courses unfold throughout the evening, the wealthy diners are in for more than they bargained for. This is a masterfully crafted film to die for… literally.
The story opens with a young couple Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a self-proclaimed “foodie” and Margo (Anya Taylor-Joy), donning black nail polish and combat boots. The goth fashion look is fitting for what is about to take place. Margot is the character that represents the audience’s perspective through this bizarre evening. Taylor-Joy’s character is the voice of reason. She plays the role to perfection. Maitre D’ Elsa (Hong Chau) is the stoic guide. At one point, a diner complains about the “breadless bread platter.” She coldly whispers to him, “You will get less than you desire and more than you deserve.”
Before each course is served, Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) loudly claps like a military general before battle. Fiennes is sinfully good as the master chef. You can cut the suspense like a knife. None of the patrons know what is coming next just like the audience is in the dark. This is what makes ‘The Menu’ so suspenseful and entertaining. As the night unfolds, we are as shocked as Margo. She is different from the others. She has street-smarts that makes her special. She is the coolest girl in the room. Her conversations with the chef are brutally honest. Taylor-Joy masterfully goes toe-to-toe with Fiennes’ character. It displays how fiercely talented the young actress already has become in her career.
Director Mark Mylod, best known for his work on ‘Succession,’ crafts a powerful metaphor throughout ‘The Menu.’ He blends the natural and the artificial. It represents the dichotomy of life and death through cuisine. The backdrop of the island shows life in the ocean and the fertile land. It contrasts with the restaurants cold glass and concrete modern exterior. He reveals the secrets of the story like a well-paced mystery. Throughout the proceedings, we get to know the other diners. They include a food critic (Janet McTeer), a fading movie star (John Leguizamo) and Hawthorne regulars (Reed Birney and Judith Light). The question always arises whether they even deserve such a memorable dining experience. All the while, Margo calls bullshit to its absurdity.
‘The Menu’ is one of the most entertaining movies I’ve seen this year. It won’t get any award attention but that’s okay. The movie succeeds at poking fun at the ultra rich. It’s a dark satire. It had me chuckling at the over-the-top insanity of it all. The ensemble cast is excellent and the dialogue is razor-sharp. The two standouts are Ralph Fiennes and Anya-Taylor Joy. She is making fine choices in her career. I am at the point where I will see her in anything. She captivates the screen with her presence and talent. I highly recommend ‘The Menu’ as we gorge ourselves to a coma this holiday season.
