( continued from page 15 ) no lines and stares blankly , and ever drunker , at her wine for the duration of the film , falling into the background of the unfolding drama . Seated between the guests and the kitchen , she is revealed to be Chef Slowik ’ s alcoholic mother during the presentation of the third course . She serves as a representation of the theme of the third course , “ Memory .” However , her physical location and lack of any spoken lines , excluded from any voice , is symbolic and not likely lost on an adept audience . A beleaguered mother sits , voiceless , watching the theater of the obnoxiously wealthy unfold , proffering her own offspring to a life of toil to this bevy of takers , left only to assuage her sorrows in that which she can access , cheap white wine . The symbolism is practically Kardashian-esque , referencing a dwindling middle class enamored with the gaudy excesses of the ultra-rich . It speaks to the broad appeal of The Menu ’ s satire and the subtext . As the gap between rich and poor grows in this country , and in much of the world , The Menu is timely and relatable to the multitudes , employed in the restaurant industry or not .
David Sedaris , in a recent and well-timed spoken word piece , tells a story of walking into a fancy hotel restaurant in San Francisco to partake in what has become a profligate industry in itself , the hotel breakfast . He informs the maître d ’, as he is being seated , that he is a “ hegan ,” eating only items that come from male animals . He suggests that if he were to order eggs , he would need to know the sex of the egg . The maître d ’ politely noted he would have to “ speak to the chef .” Mr . Sedaris , while letting the joke set in for a bit , waxed poetically about the other dietary restrictions of which he is aware , freegans or ‘ Class IV ’ vegetarians , as examples . Acknowledging this sort of finicky particular would well get him thrown out of nearly any diner , Mr . Sedaris is amused at the attempt at the accommodations he received before relieving the maître d ’ of his comedic burden . Walking down the street after breakfast he saw spray painted on a nearby building the phrase that has become ubiquitous in back-alley graffiti and a rallying cry for the givers among us , “ Eat the Rich .” Mr . Sedaris asks with some knowing wonderment , “ Is this really a thing ?” The Menu answers resoundingly that indeed , yes , it is .
Bon appetit . Dr . Kolter is a practicing internist with Baptist Health .
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