La Grande Bouffe is a 1973 movie directed by Marco Ferreri.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A group of men gather for a weekend of gluttony and debauchery, ultimately revealing that they have agreed to eat themselves to death.
ONE LINE REVIEW
La Grande Bouffe is a savage satire that is decadent, gross, hilarious and decidedly human.
THE ACTORS
The movie revolves around five outstanding performances, featuring Marcello Mastroianni’s sex-craved pilot, Michel Piccoli’s television host, Phillipe Noiret’sa judge, Ugo Tognozzi’s chef and Andrea Ferreol as a teacher who is invited to the festivities.
Mastroianni is the most fascinating of the actors – his Marcello symbolizes all the craven lusts the men desire before their deaths. He exhibits a vacant, lustful, all-consuming stare directed towards food, women and his prized Bugatti. His life is possessed by material and carnal desires, yet he is the first of the men to realize the futility of their actions. His being is extinguished when he cannot get aroused.
Marcello’s shadow envelops the remaining characters. After his death, the aloof Michel inhabits his character, while the insecure Phillipe reckons with Marcello and Andrea’s sexual exploits. Ferreol emerges as the scene-stealer and fulcrum of the movie. Her Andrea morphs from shy schoolteacher into a lustful, ravenous creature. Initially expressive with her eyes, Ferreol uses her voice and body to carry the narrative. It’s a really unique performance.
THE DIRECTOR
Ferreri presents an outlandish scenario that could have easily been defined as a commentary on excess. Certainly, his movie suggests humans have the capacity to consume themselves to death. However, we’re also allowed to appreciate the characters’ flaws – likely because we recognize them in ourselves. To judge the characters’ actions is to judge ourselves.
Technically, the movie is pretty simple. Ferreri patiently documents both the preparation and consumption of the food. Both are presented with a unique artistic beauty. The atmosphere Ferreri creates is extraordinary – you can feel the bloat and gluttonous effects. The hired prostitutes are treated crudely, blaring gas permeates and the men develop sores. Yet, the movie is hilarious – dead, frozen bodies become props and the house is literally covered in feces.
THE BEST – The Moralistic Whores
Three prostitutes are hired for the weekend, which creates a contrast with the seemingly more respectable Andrea. Yet as the movie progresses, it’s Andrea who becomes a willing participant in the carnage, while the prostitutes have their reservations. It’s a unique twist and statement on morality.
THE BEST Part 2 – Ugo the Dog
One of the funniest moments comes from a dying Phillipe as he gives scraps to a dog named after chef Ugo.
THE BEST Part 3 – France is Beautiful
Another obscure line offers a wealth of commentary. After Michel throws a chicken into the fish tank, one of the prostitutes observes: “It’s chicken-fish. France is so beautiful.”
THE WORST – Looking Inward
The beauty of the movie is that the viewer is supposed to examine themselves. Part of me is horrified and disgusted by the excess but I can also strongly identify with it. At the very least, you have to respect the process. A lot of preparation and hard work is exhibited to achieve such levels of gluttony.
THE WORST Part 2 – Michel the Philosopher
Michel is easily the most depressing character – or at the least, the moodiest. At times, he tries to intellectually position himself above the excess – specifically when he angrily throws cake at a prostitute, declaring that a woman’s body is “vanity.”
THE WORST Part 3 – Marcello
Marcello is most unlikable character of the group, yet he’s also the one most in touch with his being. However, his impulsive need for sex leads to disgusting moments – including using a car manifold and comparing Andrea to a statue.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4.5/5
There are stretches where La Grande Bouffe linger, but the movie is a wonderful visceral experience that completely challenges any honest viewer’s imagination and morality. It’s a must watch.
