My Dinner with Andre

This is a strange film in many ways. It stars two actors who play themselves and who have also co-written the film. This film is about two friends who meet after many years at a New York restaurant. For the next 110 minutes they talk about their sense of life -- rather Andre talks about his sense of life and Wallace listens and sometimes interjects.

As is obvious, it is a difficult film to make. Why, it is a difficult plot to stage on the theatre as well. Of course as far as us -- the viewers are concerned -- is this movie more than an interesting yet mere theatrical problem or is it an experiment that has the quality to stand on its own -- that is the real question or concern.

The conversation centers about Andre talking about his surreal experiences over the last few years in search of experimental theatre all around the world. Andre is a theatre director. Wallace, on the other end is more in to the daily grind. He is a playwright who, because of lack of work, has started doing small acting roles to sustain himself.

The conversation concerns itself about many things as Andre discusses life, death, theatre, art, urbanization, culture and other topics in the metaphysical realm. Wallace is more concerned about the real issues.

Of course the movies hidden agenda seems to be to force us to pick or choose or vote for the one we think is happy or is leading a more satisfied life. The answer is of course not as simple as it would seem.

The conversations in general are interesting and Andre is generally pretty good in his construction of his perceived existence. It is usually enough to sustain your interest for about two hours. Of course you have to pay attention and not worry too much about where this is leading to in order to enjoy the movie.


This is a movie of a theatre show about theatre and it is not without its charms.