Since its publication in 2013, Herman Koch's best seller,
The Dinner, has been adapted to the screen three times, in Belgium, Italy and the USA. Last night, courtesy of Netflix, I watched the latter version, which was released earlier this year. It performed miserably at the Box Office, returning one-million-plus on whatever its budget was, the majority of which probably went to two of its stars. It is a challenging film likely to appeal only to actors and writers, and to those curious about how it translated to the screen. Writer director Oren Moverman, an Israeli who has four credits as a director and 13 as a writer, chose non-linear form. That's not the problem. I have no objection to downbeat material, but in this instance it's more trying than usual. While the characterizations are complex, the story is simple. Two brothers and their wives meet to discuss how to handle a heinous crime their teenage sons committed and may get away with. Given this, the setting, an upscale restaurant near Washington, DC, seems utterly absurd. I know people do bizarre things in this life, but such a matter would be discussed at a home, out of earshot of non-family. One of the brothers, a retired history teacher suffering the onset of mental illness, is highly abrasive. The only reason anyone would spend any time with him is under forced circumstances. Steve Coogan, a Brit, does well in the thankless role. Laura Linney brings her usual excellence to the role of his wife, a cancer survivor. The film's best asset is Richard Gere's performance as the voice of reason older brother, a politician. Prior to this, I'd only viewed his work as adequate. I was very surprised. Rebecca Hall, another Brit, plays his second wife. Chloe Sevigny, seen only in flashback, plays the first. Another of the scenario's problems is the length of time it takes to get to the crux of the matter. Once it does, the arguing is compelling and realistic. Trouble is, the viewer is likely to be so appalled by the crime that empathy may be lacking. There's no doubt in my mind many parents would opt to keep the perpetrators from facing the consequences they deserve, especially given the victim, but that's asking a lot of the audience, even of those who might opt for a cover up in real life. I know I would be tempted to keep a lid on such a situation. 3100+ users at IMDb have rated
The Dinner, forging to a consensus of 4.5 on a scale of ten, too low in my opinion. I don't recall any of the movies I've written about through the years being ranked that low. I wonder if those who rated it on the lower end were influenced by the crime, reviewing it instead of the thought-provoking subject matter. It's not a good film, but it does have value, and it's always refreshing when artists are uncompromising. Here's the cast, the lovely Linney's back to the camera, a toast before the venom is spewed:
My thanks to the young man who bought two Dave Chappelle DVD's, to the young woman who purchased
The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly, to Jack of Chase, who chose two Clive Cussler thrillers; and to Ralph, who increased his bathroom library by ten, all non-fiction. When he spotted
How Not to Be a Dick: An Everyday Etiquette Guide by Meghan Doherty, he had to have it for his 14-year-old son. I hadn't spoken to him in months. He's battling double sciatica. The floating book shop also had a visit from Mr. Conspiracy, who had been drinking. He hugged me and kissed my neck - ewwww! As soon as he turned away, I wiped away the moisture with the sleeve of my sweatshirt.
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