The Menu

Dear fellow readers,

I recently watched a black comedy horror film, The Menu. If you haven't seen it, do not read on. Spoilers alert! The begins with a couple, Tyler and Margot boarding a boat to Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant owned and operated by celebrity chef Julian Slowik. The others attending were Lillian Bloom, a food critic; her editor Ted; wealthy couple Richard and Anne; George Diaz, a post-prime movie star and his personal assistant Felicity; and Julian's business partners Soren, Dave and Bryce. As the maitre'd Elsa gives the guests a tour of the island, she notices Margot is not on the list. This is when we learn that Tyler and his wife were supposed to attend together but their relationship had ended and Margot was paid to accompany him.

The courses and Slowik's accompanying monologues gradually become more disquieting and violent. On Slowik's orders, one staff member kills himself, another cuts off a guest's finger, and the staff captures the guests and brings them back when they try to flee. Slowik declares that the night will end with everyone dead. Since Margot's presence was unplanned, Slowik gives her the choice of either dying with the staff or with the guests.

Slowik turns on Tyler, revealing that he was invited personally and knew all along that the dinner would end with everyone's death, which enrages Margot. It is revealed that Margot is an escort named Erin who Tyler has hired for the evening, knowing full well she would die. Slowik humiliates Tyler further by forcing him to cook in front of the guests and staff, then drives Tyler to commit suicide by hanging in a nearby storeroom. Slowik decides that Erin belongs with the staff and asks her to collect a barrel needed for dessert, claiming Elsa forgot it.

Erin sneaks into Slowik's house, which contains a replica of Hawthorne, only to be attacked by Elsa. Erin kills Elsa in self-defense by stabbing her in the neck. After seeing newspaper clippings of Slowik's past life in his sparsely decorated office, Erin finds a radio, calls for help, and returns to the restaurant. A Coast Guard officer arrives from his boat, bringing hope to the guests, holding Slowik at gunpoint. The officer then reveals himself as a line cook in disguise and returns to the kitchen.

Due to Erin's betrayal, Slowik now declares that she belongs with the guests, but Erin mocks his dishes and complains that she is still hungry. Having previously seen a photo of a young, happy Slowik working at a fast-food restaurant, Erin asks him for a cheeseburger and fries. Moved by her simple request, Slowik prepares the meal to her specifications. Erin takes a bite and praises his food, then asks if she can get it "to go". Slowik packs the food for her and lets her leave. Erin finds a boat docked nearby and escapes the island.

The dinner ends with Slowik paying tribute to s'mores by covering the guests with coats made of marshmallows and hats made of chocolate. Slowik then sets the whole restaurant ablaze, killing the guests, staff, and himself as Erin watches from the boat while finishing her dinner.

This was quite a suspenseful and intriguing film. The only thing I don't get is the degustation. There's nothing to eat. I feel what 'Margot' felt. I'd still be hungry! LOL. I do see the beautiful artistry and professional presentation. I had to have a cheeseburger from Maccas after watching. Not freshly made but it was the fastest access LOL. It was worth watching.

Until the next read... ciao!