I found this movie from an episode of Community, which very closely plays homage to it in the episode Critical Film Studies (it was only a matter of time before I mentioned this show in this blog and I think this is the right post to do it in). I was lost during the entire episode and have since, of course, checked out the movie, as I have been known to do (hello, this is a film blog). Anyway, I'm glad the show introduced me to this movie cause it is perhaps one of my favorites.
Have you ever met up with an old friend and just sat in a restaurant catching up? Neither one of you touches the food even after the waiter has put it on the table because you don't want to break a story. I have become quite accustomed to this way of life since starting college and moving to another state. An entire year may go by before I return home and have dinner with a friend. There is so much to catch up on that you don't know where to begin and, hell, you never want it to end. There is no plot to My Dinner with Andre, there are just two men, old friends, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory, sharing a meal and stories. Many of the stories belong to Andre, who has been off having crazy adventures and exploring. The only real stories we hear from Wally are in the beginning when he is narrating about not wanting to see Andre, whom he assumes has gone nuts.
I wanted to come into this blog with an idea of why I love this movie so much, and the only idea I've concluded to is that it is real. Nothing "Hollywood" happens. There is one set, albeit the few outside shot of Wally in the beginning, and minimalist characters. The restaurant isn't crowded and when the conversation is over the entire place is empty, as if the two have been reminiscing for hours.
Another fine quality is the story telling. While there is not much going on as far as visually, Andre's stories are so interesting and captivating you don't even need to witness them through flashbacks in order to appreciate them and truly love them. In the way, the movie is almost like a book, leaving you the ability to imagine and picture what happened for yourself, something I haven't seen many movies employee. Even then I was so captivated in the delivery of these stories that while watching the movie I didn't even care how it'd looked, it was only until it was over that I went "huh, I didn't see any of it."
Acting and delivery were other aspects of this movie that I truly love. I believe that in any movie if you use the actors real name, it instantly becomes more believable. Viewers expand their disbelief to assume they aren't just watching a movie with a character but a person. If makes viewers want to see other works by them and it certainly has me wanting more of the actors. My empathy was suspended here, more than it is watching a big Hollywood name play a character in a budgeted movie. I felt a connection to the personas of the actors on screen, if only because they seemed normal and average, this is a strange idea since the stories that Andre are telling are completely crazy and unique.
I love this movie. Sometimes I still ask myself "but why?" And it is a valid question. Nothing happens, it is all in the story. Nothing flashy, nothing moves, there are two characters. But I love it none the less and in the end, why doesn't mean anything.
OFF TOPIC SIDE NOT: Also, if you like the movie I suggest checking out the Community episode... in fact the entire series is pretty amazing and they talk about many other great movies as well. Not to mention one day there will be a Community movie that I will certainly review (I already can, it's awesome).
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