The Menu (2022)

8

of 10

A great genre-bending movie with loving attention to detail that says a lot not just about the state of food, but also the state of artistry in a world dominated by money, celebrity, and social media.

9

Ritualistic mass murder unfolding at a Michelin 3-star—that has me intrigued.

8

Good arc overall; plot holes were well-hidden with movie magic, and layers of absurdity added to the overall point of the movie. Great “Clue” vibe, with each cast member getting their distinct thread.

7

Not particularly groundbreaking, but definitely does something its own.

8.5

Good and tight, nothing extraneous. Some actually conspicuously good jump cut work at points.

N.B.: I would probably move this down a bit in retrospect; the editing was quite good, but the directions wasn’t really that spectacular.

7.5

Some clever bits, though overall perhaps not outstanding.

7

Alright. Not conspicuously good, really; but, no complaints.

7

Again, good but not conspicuously good.

8

Great use of claps, especially with and without visual cues; great cognitive effects.

9

Loving attention to detail on the food, oh my god!

6

Margo and Chef are more “2.5D”, but largely everyone is a caricature. I suppose that’s part of the point, though, in the broader context of the movie.

8

The whole thing is predicated on some “grand insanity”.

I also love that, by and large, everyone just gives in to what’s happening! What a statement.

6

Some interesting bits in the direction of having character emerge through relationships, though those relationships are largely “flat”.

7.5

A little manifesto-ey at spots, but plus points for the emergence of Margo’s character, that was very well done.

5

Eh.

2

The one moment from the angel scene a little but that’s about it.

4

Plus points for the angel scene for sure. Otherwise very eh to sub-eh.

2

Meh.

5

Got a little response at some points, but otherwise didn’t really add too much.

7.5

Not exemplary in this department, but the way all the story threads integrated gave a really interesting tapestry that was greater than the sum of its parts.

7.5

Feel this pretty hard living in SF right now. Maybe not totally in the moment, but in the moment of food for sure.

7

A lot of particulars to the state of food today, but more durable statements about the nature of art, celebrity, what gets lauded, corruption as we become famous, the perversity of incentives.

8.5

Per above, a lot going on here: this film has more topics to cover than just cuisine. Wealth inequality and class struggle, the service industry, art, celebrity, beauty … a lot going on.