Review of The Draughtsman's Contract (1982) by Nick L — 30 Dec 2007

Peter Greenaway may be the archetype pseud and his films may partly account for why the UK no longer has a film industry of any note, but it has to be said that "The Draughtsman's Contract" is one of his better films, benefiting from a linear yet still intriguing plot and witty script.

The composition of the draughtman's drawings mirror (sometimes literally) the composition of Greenaway's shots, while the dubious and eponymous contract is a sly commentary on the relationship between artist and patron and, indeed, between director and film producer.

To give a base to all this posturing is an intriguing murder conspiracy and a fight over inheritance. Greenaway's surrealistic touches amuse and provoke but more often are a touch risible and a portent of pretentious schlock to come (urinating living statues.

.. but why? To wake up the audience?). The true saviour of the film is Michael Nyman's amazing score that evokes both the period and the studied formalism of the film itself. Like John Williams, Nyman has the Midas ability of making mediocre or average films seem a lot, lot better than they actually are - but then again, isn't half of the film watching experience based on sound anyway? "The Draughtsman's Contract" is an intriguing but far from perfect film, while its self-indulgences will either greatly appeal or repulse according to one's sensibility.