La Grande Bouffe (1973)

In the heart of Paris, a villa stands as a testament to decadence and debaucherous pleasure. This is the chosen stage for a Romanesque feast unlike any other, orchestrated by four middle-aged men, each a bastion of professional bourgeoisie: Ugo, a culinary maestro and restaurant owner; Marcello, an Alitalia pilot and unrepentant Casanova; Michel, a sensitive television executive; and Philippe, a respected judge. As the villa's grandeur engulfs them, their singular intention is revealed - an audacious pact to feast until they meet death at the banquet table. Truckloads laden with exquisite food and wine form the backdrop to their indulgent escapade, each bite and sip more extravagant than the last. However, it isn't long before Marcello, always the womanizer, insists on adding a dash of feminine allure to their male-dominated feast. Enter three sophisticated and nimble prostitutes, who weather the storm of gluttony for a day or two. But only Andrea, a local school teacher, remains steadfast until the end, her resolve unwavering amidst the escalating hedonism. As the plot unfolds, the villa and its opulent trappings, including a majestic Bugatti roadster, become more than mere background. These are essential props in their gastronomic theater, mirroring the men's voracious appetites and the spiraling descent of their sanity. Yet, as they gorge themselves in this relentless pursuit of pleasure, one question lingers, casting a shadow over their grand feast: Why have these men, successful in their own right, chosen such a path to self-destruction? La Grande Bouffe (1973) is a cinematic exploration of desire, excess, and the consequences of unchecked indulgence. It's a tale that pushes the boundaries of hedonism and forces the viewer to question the very fabric of societal norms and personal limits.

La Grande Bouffe is a comedy movie featuring Marcello Mastroianni.

La Grande Bouffe is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Fandor Amazon Channel.