Watching a Peter Greenway film... is an experience. He confounds and delights me every time I peruse and interrogate one of his marvellous and epic stories. Epic? Not in scale, or in scope, or in undertaking but in their ramifications. None of what is shown or heard can be taken at face value - take the initial simple premise of Mrs Herbert asking an artiste to prepare 12 portraits of her outstanding grounds. When this turns out to be have more serious ramifications the artiste is in far too deep to back out, and as co-conspirators, so are we, the viewer.
The cinematography, as usual, is lush and beautiful and Michael Nyman's music is haunting and minimalist. I always watch a Peter Greenway feeling like I've eaten a wonderful 4 course meal - I feel completely satisfied but always looking forwards to the next instalment!
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