DVD Review: Bitter Feast
Bitter Feast (2010)
Distributed by: Dark Sky Films / Glass Eye Pix
Release Date: January 4, 2010
Directed by: Joe Maggio
Starring: James Le Gros, Joshua Leonard, Amy Seimetz, Mario Batali, Larry Fessenden
Review by Marc Patterson
You might say Bitter Feast is a film with “bite”. You could say it was a sumptuous film designed to satisfy your most carnivorous cravings. Yes, there’s plenty of time for literary word play when you’re talking about a foodie fright flick. (Apparently plenty of room for alliteration as well). Bitter Feast is somewhat unique in the way of horror flicks. I believe it’s the first of its kind to take on the popular food culture within the context of a slasher meets torture flick.
The film revolves around a television and restaurant chef Peter Grey (Le Gros) who adheres to a very sustainable and eco-friendly style both cooking preparing food. When a popular food blogger publishes a scathing review of Grey’s restaurant it threatens to end Grey’s career. It doesn’t help matters that Grey’s show is about to be cancelled and that he can’t get along and play nice with his co-host. One bad review proves to be the straw that breaks Grey’s back, and in full blown rage Grey abducts the critic, JT Franks (Leonard), and forces him to undergo a series of “challenges” where Franks must prove his ability and worth as a cook, or suffer some rather severe consequences.
In a way Bitter Feast is rather brilliant. It’s a bit like SAW meets The Food Network. Just think of Jigsaw with more culinary obsessions. You know… maybe you have to carve a piece of flesh from your chest and then fry it up to make the perfect flank steak. I’m just making that up. It didn’t actually happen, (would have been kinda cool if it did), but you get the idea. Add to the twisted mix a cameo by the famous New York Italian chef Mario Batali and you’ve got a recipe for success. (Again with the food metaphors. Note: They won’t stop).
While conceptually the film delivers it also does quite well in the acting department. Everyone from Le Gros to Leonard to Fessenden and Seimetz are seasoned actors. They play their parts pitch perfectly and hit the right notes that make this quirky little film thoroughly enjoyable. It was great to see how far Leonard has come since The Blair Witch Project. He takes some rather brutal beatings here in good form never quite letting Mr Grey get the best of him. And to that point, I have to admit – I really didn’t see the film wrapping around the way that it did in the end.
Bitter Feast is a well constructed, play-by-the-numbers sort of film that with the exception of a couple out of place and goofy scenes, (was the bathroom scene with Amy Seimetz really THAT important to the story?), was rather entertaining. In contrast to the grisly image above, most of the film avoided heavy bloodletting, rather letting storytelling carry the film, injecting the gory details only when called for. I did feel Larry Fessenden’s character got the short shaft as a weak plot device, and could have been utilized far more effectively. At least he didn’t phone in his performance. To that end I must admit that Fessenden has “offbeat” down to an art form I’m starting to think this may be more his standard mode of day to day operation. You gotta give respect to Larry Fessenden though. He’s one of the most fiercely independent filmmakers and producers in this business and Bitter Feast is only further proof that he’s capable of consistently delivering original and entertaining horror films, heavy on the pulp they may be at times.
I’m calling this one worthy of a rental. Matter of fact – take a moment and check out our latest Slash & Dine column where Megan and Nicole cook up some of the dishes from the film and provide you with the play by play so you can cook along while you watch! C’mon, admit it. It doesn’t get any cooler than THAT! Just remember one thing: NO RUNNY YELLOWS!
