The juicy tomato spattering the shirt is another great little moment, and again an example of how Scott uses subtle little tricks of visual symbolism to add depth to what is in truth a rather superficial, soap opera story.

There's definitely more to it that might meet the eye, and a really interesting story behind it as I discovered researching this piece. I'd just assumed that Mayle had written a novel with pretty much the plot of the film, and Scott picked up the film rights. But it all happened in a more convoluted manner. And they also knew each other from their days in the advertising world in London - Scott directing artistic sliced bread adverts, and Mayle a jobbing copywriter.