Review of The Draughtsman's Contract (1982) by Afzal S — 14 Apr 2008

Enjoyed the formalistic design, witty dialogue, and sumptuous visual style. However, Greenaway is apt to get carried away and this film is no exception: self-indulgent in parts and too in love with its own cleverness.

And what is with the living statue who keeps popping up everywhere: is he there to remind us that things are not always what they appear to be (this is a film about reality and representation, or, as one of the characters put it, the difference between "seeing" and "knowing")? At any rate, entertaining and provocative.