The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

A brutal gangster, Spica, and his elegant wife, Georgina, dine every evening at the luxurious restaurant Le Hollandaise. Georgina grows weary of Spica’s boorish behaviour and meets Michael, a quiet bookseller, at the restaurant. The two begin a risky but passionate affair. Every evening, the restaurant becomes the scene of their escapades, with the chef at Le Hollandaise helping them to keep this secret. One day, their romance is discovered, with horrific consequences…

This shocking black comedy is Peter Greenaway’s macabre masterpiece: lavish sets (designed by Dutch art directors), hypnotic music, vibrant colours and an incredible cast. THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER (1989) is May’s Sunday Evening Classic.