Ralph Fiennes serves up a delightfully evil feast [TIFF] – newsdubai

Please forgive me for what I’m about to write, because this kind of claim always sounds like a belligerent – but the less you know about “The Menu”, the more delicious the feast. What I will tell you is that the pitches get more and more insane, and while at first the majority of the guests think it’s all a show — “stagecraft,” McTeer’s critic character calls it — it slowly, horrifyingly dawns on everyone , that this is very much.

The set-up is sound, and the film is wonderfully twisted. But “The Menu” also lags – once we realize what’s going on, some of the fun is gone. And some of the setups—like a mysterious silver door—don’t really pay off. Regardless – “The Menu” pulls off with a very wild cast, especially Ralph Fiennes who is perfect as the enigmatic chef. Fiennes speaks in a soothing voice that’s somehow terrifying, and he looks at everyone with dark, knowing eyes. We don’t do that quite understand why he does what he does, but we buy in because Fiennes sells it so well. Taylor-Joy, with her unique, almost unearthly quality, is also a robust presence, staring in bewildered horror at what is unfolding around her. And Hoult is a delight as the increasingly ugly Tyler, who remains unmoved by the many horrors.

Colin Stetson’s whimsical, orchestral-driven score gives it all an ominous elegance, while funny text pops up on screen to give us an overview of each elaborate meal served. Mylod stages things with stylish flourishes, such as when the camera slowly hovers around the dining room as the guests first begin to eat, focusing in and out of various conversations. The filmmaker also dwells lovingly on the various meals that are preserved, and I’d advise you not to watch this on an empty stomach so you don’t rush out of the theater when the credits roll in search of sustenance. And as much fun as I had with “The Menu,” it also left me hungry for a little more. But this is a dining experience worth the price of admission for Fiennes’ sinister performance. Check now, please.

/Film rating: 7 out of 10