What do the colours in the different areas in The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover signify?
Peter Greenaway's art house epic The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover was adored by many critics but never got a wide audience. The movie is set in various rooms of a restaurant frequented by a crime lord and his philandering wife. The different areas of the set have different colour schemes (and, though I know many people who have seen the movie without noticing this, the actors' clothing also changes colour as they move from area to area).
The colours are clearly intended to be very significant. What do they signify?
Best Answer
Greenaway’s film does indeed have a stunning color palette, and this is my personal interpretation of it.
I am sure there are more in-depth essays written on the subject, but as a starting point I would highlight Greenaway’s respect for, and interpretation of, European Art and his desire to make this film a living canvas.
If I recall correctly, the film starts with a scene of obscene violence against a naked victim and is swathed in blue hues. Blue is normally associated with calm or rebirth, but in this instance it is in direct opposition to the act being perpetrated. The kitchen scenes are bathed in green light, and this reflects the serenity of the environment – possibly the only stable area in the whole establishment.
I think the red hues of the restaurant are meant to reflect the abject nature of the scenes, and is closely associated with passion, death and violence – the themes of the film.
As for the clothes changing, you are spot on – but note that the Lover’s brown clothing doesn’t change according to the environments – he is bookish and dull and his clothing reflects this – he is unchanging (until the end of course).
Ultimately, this may be a simplistic take on what is a complex film, but I hope it is a good foundation for further answers.
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How was color used in the Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover?
Color has been used by Greenaway in CTWL to also neutralize environments to create focus for the characters and also add a surreal quality to the scene.What happens at the end of The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover?
IN PETER GREENAWAY'S NEW FILM, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, the Lover is killed by the thief, and the wife talks to the cook, in whose restaurant most of the action takes place, about his view of her affair.Is The Cook the Thief the wife the lover on Netflix?
Synopsis: The wife of a criminal restaurant owner, Georgina Spica (Helen Mirren) finds solace from her sadistic brute of a husband (Michael Gambon) in the arms of her lover (Alan Howard) with the help of the head cook (Richard Bohringer).Where can I watch The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover?
Stream And Watch The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover Online | Sling TV.Film Language and Pener Greenaway | Color and Lighting in The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover
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