Not one of my favorite Greenaway movies but worth a watch. The plot is a simple tale on the surface level. The story is decent enough in structure and pace but the main plots were not stimulating or inventive enough after a while. There isn't much character relationship or development after a while either but it's still fun to watch. The characters are quirky, unapologetic and fun. There is a numbers game throughout the movie that leads to the inevitable deeper meaning at the end. A meaning that I didn't really need to hear. I imagine in 1988 it had a lot more impact as Greenaway's bleak view of human decay was probably less common.
Pretty predictable what happens to the skipping girl from the first time you see her with the boy. That's kind of the plot problem I have. Anyone that even writes as a hobby will watch this and see that the plots are pretty basic dot connections and ideas. The Greenaway sheen over makes a massive difference though. Stylsih and a joy to look at.
Pretentious? Despite the hate he gets I never find Greenaway that pretentious because there is always a connection back to a story, side idea/ sub plot or character. It's not weird for the sake of it nor does it take advantage of being an art film to have empty meanings as filler.
Greenaway's choice of sub plots and ongoing ideas are a little bit daring or risqué for the sake of it sometimes and seem disconnected from the main movie at times.
It was hit and miss for me but watchable. The movie looks great. A Zed And Two Noughts was a better movie in a simular style in my opinion.