Review of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) by John Mount for Empire — 31 Oct 1991
From the astonishing studio sets and (Gaultier-designed) costumes to Gambon’s performance (so ferociously wicked that it beggars description), Greenaway attacks his targets with a sadistic obsession that is, frankly, terrifying.
Many people will be profoundly offended by this film — by the monstrous misanthropy that Greenaway lays bare through it, by the spiteful images of women in a vicious world — but some may appreciate it for what it certainly is: the most startling depiction of intellectual cruelty and evil for many years.
You can read the full review where it was originally posted online.
This review of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) was written by John Mount and published by Empire on 31 Oct 1991.
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover has generally received very positive reviews.
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