The 1981 film “My Dinner with Andre” is labeled a drama, though traces of arthouse and prescient 90s Indie came to mind. The production is ultra simple. Explaining the plot to someone would draw a curious frown of the brow.
Directed by Louis Malle, “My Dinner with Andre” stars André Gregory and Wallace Shawn – both men also wrote the film. Set in real time, it’s literally nothing more than two good friends sharing conversation and a meal at an upscale Manhattan restaurant.
I love simplicity.
Richard Linklater has become my favorite filmmaker and it’s a result of his minimalist style. I would imagine a movie like “My Dinner with Andre” served as an influence on Linklater’s creative mind for “Waking Life” and “Before Sunrise.”
“The life of a playwright is tough.” Narrates Wally (Wallace Shawn) as the film opens. He continues detailing the struggles of an artist living in New York City. Dreams overcome by reality. The need to eat and pay for rent surpasses the desire to have a sustainable impact on culture. It’s 1981. The sky is grey, and the city seems bleak. We get the sense that Wally is just going through the motions.
Wally is meeting Andre (André Gregory) for dinner at Café des Artistes. Through the opening narration, its revealed that Andre has been absent for several years, having gone to travel the world, simplified by Wally’s assumption that it was a mere midlife crisis.
Wallace Shawn and André Gregory wrote the script together, and star as fictionalized versions of themselves. There are some real-life similarities including references to actual significant others and the men being close friends. Nuance like this further adds to the genuine rapport of the dinner.
BFF’s
The men are opposite in appearance and personality. Wally plays it safe. Andre takes chances most men only dream of. We’ve all encountered someone like Andre at a party or gathering. They seem aloof, almost annoying. We wonder if their carefree style is merely a façade whilst secretly pining to be like them. “Comfort can lull you into a dangerous tranquility.” Andre advises Wally at one point.
Wallace Shawn is highly recognizable. His shrieking vocals have voiced many animated characters over the years. His most famous role comes in “The Princes Bride” (Inconceivable!). Shawn is excellent here, embodying intrigue, doubt, and subtle jealousy of his friend all at once. He’s not Brad Pitt. But I gained an appreciation for how stellar an acting talent he is.
I have never seen André Gregory, but he comes off as a nice guy. Believable that he had his mind changed by his travels, but still connects with his friend on a deeply personal level. I’d like to have dinner with these guys myself.
Louis Malle does a wonderful job of directing. The film is simple cut shots between the two men. He mixes things up with reflections in mirrors and a knack for capturing the emotions of the characters at just the right time. Lulls in the conversation are cut by the sound of forks hitting plates and fine wine being poured.
“My Dinner with Andre” is simple and efficient storytelling. It’s captivating to watch, and its existential dialogue will certainly make you think. It has managed to crack my Top 100.
