If I’ve learned anything from studying film in college, it’s that there is a big difference between the effectiveness of a film and the viewer’s enjoyment of it. Some folks on Twitter like to claim that a film is objectively good simply because they enjoyed it. I hate to be that person, but since I minored in film history I’m obligated to disagree. There are revolutionary films that are boring as hell, and there are terrible films that are a time-and-a-half to experience. I am not a diehard for Citizen Kane (a film critic sin, I know, forgive me), but I am a supporter of Robert Englund’s 1989 slasher version of The Phantom of the Opera (a messy, gory film with a whopping 38% on Rotten Tomatoes). That being said, An Exquisite Meal (2020) is an objectively excellent film that may not please the casual viewer.

An absurdist dark comedy about friends (and some strangers) gathering together for a meal prepared by the host, An Exquisite Meal commands the viewer’s attention from beginning to end. Tensions rise as the wait for the said “exquisite meal” drones on and relationships between characters are peeled down to the bone. Frankly it’s difficult to discuss this movie without giving away crucial plot points. What seems to be a beeline of a plot ends up fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces. It’s the kind of feature you need to go into knowing next to nothing to get the full experience. Any spoiler is dangerous with this one. I could delve into some plot points but honestly I would hate to give anything away. Everything in this film is unexpected and I’d want the viewer to be as surprised (and pleased) as I was.

While all of the actors, especially Mike Jimerson (Dave), Amrita Dhaliwal (Irene), and Bassam Abdelfattah (Edouard), gave exceptional performances, some members of the crew deserve a shout-out as well. What stood out immediately were the visuals, editing, and soundtrack. Cinematographer Zoe Lubeck uses what are clearly painstakingly-planned shots to deliver the dark comedic punchlines and to chill the audience when the jokes subside. Editor Anna Pinchuk weaves the cinematography together seamlessly and effectively communicates a general feeling of discomfort and anxiety through quick, short cuts during scenes that normally would take an extended shot in a different genre. The score, created by Jessica Jarvis, works to set the mood through music cues and sudden tone shifts that veer wildly from hilarious to frightening.

Despite what it does so well, this one hour feature felt like two hours. Not because of any obvious flaw or slow pacing, but by the simple fact that as a viewer I spent the entire time trying to deduce what the hell was going on. It was a similar experience to watching Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel – this is insanely well made in every way and there were moments I enjoyed, but it’s not my cup of tea. From the standpoint of directing, acting, cinematography, mise-en-scene, An Exquisite Meal lives up to its name. Therefore my rating has less to do with my personal enjoyment and more to do with the film’s quality alone. If you’re someone who loves a mind-bending, intelligent mystery interlaced with dark satire, this is the film for you. I’d highly recommend putting this film on with a group of film nerd friends and launching a full discussion once the credits roll.

9 out of 10