The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover
1989 · Movie · 123 min. · United Kingdom
One of the most controversial films of all time, the title of this Jacobean revenge-tragedy, set in an upscale French restaurant, says it all. The restaurant is visited nightly by the sadistic Thief (a ferocious Gambon). His battered Wife (Mirren in a heartbreaking performance) seeks solace in her secret Lover whom she meets one evening while dining. The sympathetic Cook rounds out the cast. A surreal theatre piece combining moments of tender tragedy and stomach-turning physical and mental cruelty, the film suggests that revenge is not always sweet: It sometimes has a few bones.
Direction Peter Greenaway
Cast Richard Bohringer · Michael Gambon · Helen Mirren · Alan Howard · Tim Roth · Ciarán Hinds · Gary Olsen · Ron Cook · Ian Dury · Ewan Stewart · Diane Langton · Liz Smith
Soundtrack Michael Nyman
Screenplay Peter Greenaway
Cinematography Sacha Vierny
Original title The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover
7.1
6K votes (FilmAffinity)
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