Meurtre dans un jardin anglais

The Draughtsman's Contract somewhat reminded me of the famous film Blow-Up with its style and atmosphere. The plot itself is not very relevant, but Peter Greenaway's film captivates through the atmosphere of the noble estate and the society that occupies it, with all its small contradictions, passions, and intrigues, along with the visual aspect of the film. The director is interested in the psychology of the characters, and the relationship between dominance and subordination, which can change and overcome social conventions under pressure from circumstances. Fans of history and visual arts will enjoy the film, as it is a delight for the eyes to simply observe the creation of individual graphics and the accompanying creative process. The actual point of the story is not very prominent, and I wouldn't classify the film as a historical detective story. It is rather a tragicomedy with plenty of decadent elements in the behavior of the main characters. Overall impression: 75%. (11/07/2008)