Grande bouffe (la)

English title: Big Feast (The)

Genre: very black comedy 

With: Philippe Noiret (Philippe, a judge), Marcello Mastroianni (Marcello, the airline pilot), Ugo Tognazzi (Ugo, the master chef), Michel Piccoli (Michel, a TV producer), Andréa Ferréol (Andréa)

Director: Marco Ferreri

Screenplay and adaptation: Marco Ferreri and Rafael Azcona; dialogues by Francis Blanche

Release: 1973

Studio: Films 66, Mara Films, Capitolina Produzioni Cinematografiche

Rating: NC-17

MBiS score: 7.9/10

Pass the Pepto Please   

QuickView

Story-line: four friends share a secret wish: to commit suicide at a gourmet table.  

Pluses: savoury acting by a rich cast of epicureans, a daring and freewheeling screenplay that doesn't count calories, copious production values and full-bodied direction.

Minuses: certain scenes are truly disgusting and the menu includes sexual appetizers. The word ‟feast” used in the title is appropriate – same goes for the French ‟bouffe” – but it doesn’t fully prepare you for the ‟gorgetainment” you will witness.

Comments: LA GRANDE BOUFFE is not the most digestible movie ever made – nor the most edifying, since it offers little redeeming value – but, even today, it remains an audacious piece of work served with shock value and a dark streak craving for foie gras. Two words of caution: (1) never never never try this at home; (2) don't watch this one-of-a-kind film on a full stomach – the Pantagruelian final act may induce queasiness even in the bravest of movie buffs. What a ghastly gastronomic way to go!

MBiS

© 2019 – All rights reserved