Verdict
Summary
From auteur filmmaker Peter Greenaway, the one-of-a-kind masterpiece The Draughtsman’s Contract is a delectable treat quite unlike any other. With stunning photography – almost all of which is done in still shots – and a wildly artistic pallet set to a wonderful score by Michael Nyman, the film creeps up on you with its earthy plot line and delivery. This is one of the best Blu-ray releases of 2023.
Plot:
A bargain between a Draghtsman and an aristocratic woman takes a turn for the intriguing … and dangerous.
Review:
A handsome, confident, and deviant draughtsman whose specialty is drafting meticulous drawings of landscapes makes a deal with an aristocratic woman who wants to make a gift to her husband who is away. The draughtsman is Mr. Neville (Anthony Higgins), who will receive a lot of money for his work for almost two weeks’ worth of time, while also being a recipient of his benefactor’s sexual favors whenever and however he pleases so long as he’s working for her in those weeks. The woman is Virginia Herbert (Janet Suzman), and she agrees to the arrangement, despite having some misgivings. When Neville arrives, he takes complete command of the rich estate and begins setting up his equipment all over the grounds, with the intention of completing twelve drawings, each a virtual photograph with great care taken to capture every detail of the landscape and architecture, even the slightest flaws. As the days go on, Neville’s deviancy with his benefactor becomes a distracting and humiliating element that offsets the parameters of their arrangement, and when Neville’s focus shifts to Virginia’s daughter (Anne-Louise Lambert), the original agreement he had morphs into something more complicated. When his drawings are completed, Neville realizes too late in his hubris that he’s been a pawn in a devastating game that will cost him dearly.
From auteur filmmaker Peter Greenaway, the one-of-a-kind masterpiece The Draughtsman’s Contract is a delectable treat quite unlike any other. With stunning photography – almost all of which is done in still shots – and a wildly artistic pallet set to a wonderful score by Michael Nyman, the film creeps up on you with its earthy plot line and delivery. With graphic sexuality that is skillfully and yet bawdily displayed, the film is totally inappropriate for an audience that isn’t expecting such things, but if you’re ready for an eye-opening and textually rich visual experience, then check this one out. It will stick with you.
Kino Lorber’s brand new Blu-ray release of The Draughtsman’s Contract comes in a wonderful 40th anniversary edition. The transfer is amazing in a newly restored 4K version, and it comes with four short films by Greenaway, plus a new intro and commentary by Greenaway. Also, there’s a short interview with the composer, four deleted scenes, and some archival set interviews. This is one of the best Blu-ray releases of 2023.
