Some movies are quite impressive or impactful when first seen, only to fall apart when they are thought about later.  The Menu is definitely one of those.  I was engrossed during the viewing, wondering just what the heck was happening, following along as things gradually fall into place.  But afterwards, examining some of the plot threads that were presented, I cannot help but think that this was an interesting intellectual exercise of a story that does not hold up in any realistic manner.

Mark Mylod’s film is formal and austere, following a dozen well-to-do diners to a reclusive island restaurant where they sample world-class food and subject themselves to the host’s will.  The host is Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), and he has a big surprise for his guests, one that they are not liable to enjoy.  The wrench in his plan is Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy), a young woman who has taken the place of another woman invited to this elegant gathering.  Margot’s presence upsets Chef’s plans and forces things in directions he had not planned.

As I mentioned, all this works fairly well as a story unfolding with various twists, turns, surprises and occasional violence.  Reasons for the presence of most of the other guests are gradually revealed, with most of them being things that have negatively impacted Chef in the past.  My favorite was that of the Movie Star (John Leguizamo); Chef had seen one of his movies on one of his few days off and didn’t care for it!  The dozen guests (Apostles at their Last Supper?) are then subjected to watching their fates unfold with no recourse but to sit and take what is coming to them.  But even Chef says at one point that he is surprised they don’t fight back more fiercely; they might be able to escape.

This is thought-provoking material, but it doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.  Especially Margot’s date, Tyler (Nicholas Hoult).  We never get a handle on what he is doing, or why, and when some of it is finally explained it doesn’t make any sense at all.  And when Margot finally makes her big move, even though it works thematically, it isn’t very realistic.  Of course, realism isn’t so important here.  Foodies might enjoy all the fancy food but I would have gone home hungry from this ridiculous restaurant.  And yes, culinary and cultural irony is a big part of this movie’s agenda.  It’s kind of fun to watch, but like an average meal has little lasting value.  ☆ ☆.  19 December 2022.