THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND HER LOVER

Peter Greenaway's latest film is a color-coded extravaganza, which takes place in a sumptuous restaurant called Le Hollandais. Owned by the Cook, it is a frequent haunt of the Thief, who hopes that being spotted there will improve his social standing. The main target of the Thief's abuse is his Wife, a woman reduced to silent submissiveness after years of mental and physical cruelty. One evening, the Wife sees a quiet young man to whom she is immediately drawn. An affair ensues, and they regularly meet and make love in the restaurant washroom. Greenaway's strongest social commentary to date, the film focuses on the greed, power, sex, and violence of modern society, and of Thatcher's England in particular. The lavish displays of food which are key to the development of the story serve as a metaphor for the rampant consumerism of the eighties. As usual, the director's meticulous attention to detail is everywhere; the results are extravagant, vulgar, fantastic and disgusting.