Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Bob Odenkirk

Writers (WGA):

Michael Blieden (play)
Michael Blieden (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 December 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Marital infidelity, religion, a guy in heaven wearing a Wizards jersey, anal fetishes, cigarettes and schizophrenia, ghosts, and how it's going to get worse before it gets better.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Play | Character Name In Title

Awards:

5 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Michael Blieden	...	Melvin
Stephanie Courtney	...	Alex
Matt Price	...	Joey
Annabelle Gurwitch	...	Sarah
Kathleen Roll	...	Waitress
Maura Tierney	...	Leslie
Jenna Fischer	...	Hostess
Jacqueline Heinze	...	Rita
Laura Kightlinger	...	Laura
Fred Armisen	...	Vesa
Jerry Minor	...	Solly
James Gunn	...	Scott
BJ Porter	...	Flight Attendant (as B.J. Porter)
Tucker Smallwood	...	Passenger
Jennifer Biederman	...	Child's Mom (as Jen Dollard)

Also Known As:

Phyro-Giants (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and sexuality, including sexual dialogue.

Runtime:

USA:83 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

LeFoole Inc.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After they all leave the restaurant, Alex and Sarah are walking and the shadow of the camera and cameraman is visible on the wall by Alex.

Quotes:

Sarah: Do you realize that everything that you're saying is what they say the Antichrist would say?
Joey: You're kidding.
Sarah: No, it's true. They say the Antichrist will be a very rational person who will convince people not to believe in God but to believe in themselves, science, and rational thought.
Melvin: Oh, you're totally the Antichrist.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Comedians of Comedy (2005)

Dinner with friends

Michael Blieden wrote the play in which the film is based. "Melvin Goes to Dinner" is a fast paced adaptation directed by Bob Odenkirk. It was a refreshing movie in which the writer, Mr. Blieden, has opened up the play in a satisfying way.

The premise of the film is a dinner among friends. During the dinner we get to know the dynamics among the diners. These yuppies are not the shallow individuals we might have taken them for. During the course of the dinner while the tongues get loose with the drinking, we realize what's really going on. The conversation is easy, and friendly, which is what happens when people that haven't seen one another for some period of time, will pick up where they left off the last time they met.

The young cast is likable. The author, Michael Blieden plays the leading role of Melvin. Matt Rice is Joey. Annabelle Gurwitch is Sarah, the woman who is connected to one of the friends in a way the others have no idea. The revelation makes sense. Stephanie Courtney, as Alex, is good. Jack Black appears in a cameo.

Bring another bottle of Pinot Noir, please!