If you're like me, you grew up watching the romantic comedies of the 50s and 60s, and miss the characters who, despite their whacky antics, still managed to capture our hearts. I'm excited to share The Dinner Date with my friends from my generation because it truly honors these classic, timeless comedies without trying hard to emulate them.
I'd never heard of the writer/director Win Edson prior to seeing this film, but it seems as though he and I must be from the same era. Many of today's romantic comedies seem to be trapped in fulfilling the expectations of studio execs instead of giving people what they want. That's why they can be so predictable and formulaic. Don't get me wrong; there are plenty of good rom coms coming out of studios these days, but it seems the good ones are harder and harder to find.
Maybe it takes an independent producer without the constraints of big studios to make a movie that simply makes him or her laugh? Dunno, but it seems as though Win Edson might have simply set out to make a movie he'd enjoy watching and let the rest of the creative process flow from that point. It seems to have worked so well.
Character development, especially in a shorter film like this, can be tricky. Luckily, whip-smart dialog and good acting helped me empathize with the characters on all the levels I need. I loved the character of Maggie, despite her peccadilloes, and Charles was a delight - borrowing a bit maybe from Woody Allen and a young Jack Lemon. Oscar Ward, who played Steve was spot-on as a jerk with a heart of gold. It takes quite a lot of patience to find that gold, but it's there if you're willing to look.
I hope you take the time to see this movie and tell your friends if you like it. I hope you'll find it as charming and unpretentious as I did.