My Dinner with Andre (1981)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Louis Malle

Writers:

Andre Gregory (writer)
Wallace Shawn (writer)

Release Date:

11 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory, apparently playing themselves, share their lives over the course of an evening meal at a restaurant...

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | The Little Prince | Philosophy | Sahara | Flag

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Wallace Shawn	...	Wally Shawn
Andre Gregory	...	Andre Gregory
Jean Lenauer	...	Waiter
Roy Butler	...	Bartender

Also Known As:

My Dinner with André (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Jefferson Hotel - 101 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Company:

Saga Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Lloyd Kaufman of Troma, Inc. was production manager and his fledgling company provided support to the making of this film. This was one of his first credits.

Goofs:

Continuity: The amount of wine in Wallace Shawn's glass varies in a manner not consistent with his drinking from it (or having it refilled).

Quotes:

Andre: I wouldn't put on an electric blanket for any reason. First, I'd be worried if I get electrocuted. No, I don't trust technology. But I mean, the main thing, Wally, is that I think that kind of comfort just separates you from reality in a very direct way.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Melinda and Melinda (2004)

Soundtrack:

Gymnopedie 1

Uneven, but very much worth watching

First question: Is it really possible that *no one* had ever thought of this idea?: A movie which is a "casual" (dinner) conversation? For this reason alone, the movie is worth watching; it may represent a stunning tour de force comparable to signing a wine rack and calling it "art".

I just watched it again after 10 or so years, and got a lot more out of it this time. I guess I feel like this movie served as a kind of barometer: Do you feel as "alive" as Andre would seem to be? Maybe this movie can help you find out.

Some unevennesses: I felt pretty darn sure that for the first half of the movie, Andre was reading cues off cards down and to "Wally's" right. I found that a bit distracting. I think they were hoping it would look like the normal way one looks away from a person when talking normally, but I think I could tell. It contrasts with the monumental focus Andre has in the second half; he's just glowing. Wallace Shawn's contribution to the dialog was much better than I remembered, but sometimes seemed a little wooden. I'm sure they were aiming at showing a spiritual gulf between the men (e.g., Andre complaining of unfeeling people gladhanding him, just after Wallace had himself proffered a poorly considered compliment). But sometimes it felt a little more uncomfortable than they might have intended. But this is forgivable.

Also, there was a technical problem; sudden shifts in color tone over edits.

But, those reservations aside, there were glorious things in this film. In general, the dialog is certainly fascinating. I found myself clutching the armrests a bit when Andre came over bitterly angry while recalling the episode with his dying mother and the cheery specialist. It was a palpable fury that reached through the screen and made you fearful of a burst of shrapnel flying out to hit you; in a way, this is almost like what *real* "reality TV" is supposed to be. And I suppose it harkens to Andre's descriptions of his "reality" theatre experiences in Poland.

If you haven't seen this movie, give it a whorl.