By now, you should know what to expect from Michael Winterbottom’s Trip franchise — namely the consumption of rapier repartee and haute cuisine in privileged places, 86ing the suspense, romance and action that provide structure to most entertainment product. For three television series turned films, the director has sent versions of his convivial, real-life stars, Steve … [Read more...]
Misguided direction makes ‘The Dinner’ none too edible
The structure of Oren Moverman’s The Dinner is, appropriately enough, prandial. It begins, roughly, with an aperitif, and concludes shortly after a digestif at an uber-luxurious prix fixe restaurant, the sort of dimly lit culinary castle where a wine is selected for each course, where the waiters explain the provenance of the garnish, and where the bill costs as much as an … [Read more...]