The Belly of an Architect (1987)

  'The Belly of an Architect' is a 1987 British film directed by Peter Greenaway.

  Stourley Kracktite is an American architect arriving in Rome with his wife Louisa, to create an exhibition he has been commissioned to build. The architecture of the project is dedicated by an architect unknown in Italy named Boullee. As he arrives in Rome, his wife begins cheating on him with rival architect Caspasian Speckler. As Kracktite wrestles with the massive project, and his wife leaving him, his stomach is diagnosed with cancer. Kracktite's world slowly deteriorates.

  Peter Greenaway, is one of the best directors alive, combining a striking visual style with booming hypnotic soundtracks to make films quite like any other. 'The Belly of an Architect' is one of his best films (not quite as good as 'The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover') despite the absence of a Michael Nyman soundtrack.

  Acting in Greenaway films can be touchy, with some fine performances (Michael Gambon in TCTFHWAHL) and some poor performances (Most of the cast of A Zed and Two Noughts), so also in an indecisive manner, Stourley Kracktite is portrayed remarkably by Brian Dennehy but Louisa Kracktite is played terribly by Chloe Webb. Dennehy is terrific, especially in the long takes where he has a melt-down on screen, and was a great choice for the main character. The close-ups solely on him and the medium-long shots on everyone else, make his character far more fascinating.

  Peter Greenaway is inspired in all of his films by Rembrandt. The use of tables and beds, with the dark tones of some of his films. Greenaway and his cinematographer Vierney, are one of the best collaborations in film history, as between the years 1986-2000, they made some amazing films with some of the best and most artistic shots in history. The colour red is present in all their films, but in this film it is better used, due to Vierny not overloading the viewer with it ('The Baby of Macon') and the limited colour pallet of beigey brown, white and red (and a little green). The colour is more controlled and restrained, combining with the Roman buildings and sculptures, to create their best looking film.

  Rome is architecturally the best place to set a film, with the tall arches, the long hallways, the beautiful buildings and the rows of sculptures. I can't say I've ever been interested in Roman architecture, but this film makes that dull subject far more exciting. Each shot is framed to perfection.

  The soundtrack may not be Nyman, but it's damn close. It's equally as good as Nyman, which is a massive compliment to the composer Wim Mertens.

TO CONCLUDE
This film is grand, intriguing and looks exquisite. The story of Stourley Kracktite's descent, is magnificent.

SCORE
81