The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover (1989)

Siskel and Ebert 1990 Ratings (167 movies items)

"Two Thumbs Up Siskel: Up Ebert: Up"

Acting Performances (41 movies items)

"Michael Gambon as Albert Spica Helen Mirren as Georgina Spica "

Films Watched in 2013 (71 movies items)

"Watched on DVD on February 28th. This film blew me away with its uncompromising style and singular use of colour and set design. Michael Gambon is terrifying in the lead role, while Helen Mirren's performance is subtle and relies on her expressions and sheer physicality. The soundtrack is very powerful. It works perfectly with the film's images and its general structure, and towards the end of the film it acquires a great deal of emotional weight. Anyone who is looking for a film that is tr"

Best Movies of the 1980s (10 movies items)

" "What you've got to realize is that the clever cook puts unlikely things together, like duck and orange, like pineapple and ham. It's called 'artistry'. You know, I am an artist the way I combine my business and my pleasure: Money's my business, eating's my pleasure..." - Albert Spica"

Watched again and again... (19 movies items)

" Michael Gambon is absolutely amazing in this hateful character, and I'm obsessed by the surprising finale of this Greenaway classic. Plus Helen Mirren is absolutely gorgeous in these Jean-Paul Gaultier's suits."

Magnificent Cinema (77 movies items)

"Peter Greenaway is a master. This movie is one of the most disturbing ones I've seen. Michael Gambon's character is a real asshole and he screws around in a restaurant with other disgusting people. Diners turn every time more brutal and they're filled with twisted things. Greenaway has an special eye for staging and colors - you really can see it in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. Soundtrack is pure gold and the ending is unforgettable. "

23 Films about... Food & Cooking (23 movies items)

"When an English gangster takes control of an upscale restaurant, his wife begins an affair with a bookshop owner with the help of the restaurant staff."