My Dinner With André (1981)

My Dinner With André
Directed by Louis Malle
Written by Wallace Shawn and André Gregory
1981/US
IMDb page
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel

Andre: The 60s were the last gasp of real Human Beings, and all we have now are Robots walking around.

I loved this on original release and I love it still.  I’m probably going to have trouble saying why though.

In this film, Wallace Shawn and André Gregory play versions of themselves.  Shawn is a struggling playwright who has taken up acting to pay the bills but has a hard time getting work as either actor or writer.  Gregory was a successful theater director but retired to find himself.

Shawn had hoped never again to see Gregory but a mutual friend insists that he dine with him now.  He reluctantly accepts the invitation.  The two spend dinner in rapt conversation.  Gregory does most of the talking.  His adventures with spirituality all over the world are related in such detail that the viewer almost feels s/he has witnessed them.  They keep talking until they notice that the restaurant is preparing to close for the day.  Then they leave.  That is all.

Obviously, fans of action should give this a miss.  But I would absolutely have loved to dine with either of these man and the film is actually engrossing despite its talkiness.  It should have been nominated for its screen play.  Highly recommended if this appeals at all.

Clip – The other stories are not this depressing

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The World of Gilbert and George
Directed by Gilbert Passmore and George Prousch
Written by Gilbert Passmore and George Prousch
1981/UK
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel

Two British performance artists indulge themselves in a bunch of weirdness.  I’m surprised it was not required viewing on the List like all the other similar homoerotic “art films” I have been subjected to.