By Geno McGahee
Film Movement has just released THE DINNER on DVD, based on the award-winning Herman Koch’s NY Times best seller. Written and directed by Ivan de Matteo, THE DINNER brings an intense drama concerning two brothers and their families with two tragic events changing their lives forever. This film comes in fierce and exits with even more intensity.
Every month, pediatrician, Paolo (Luigi Lo Cascio) and his wife, Clara (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), go through the motions and have dinner with Paolo’s brother, defense attorney, Massimo (Alessandro Gassman), and his second wife, Sofia (Barbora Bobulova). It’s a commitment that the group does to maintain contact, but there is an underlying tension there and the brothers have man unresolved issues. Making matters worse is that Massimo is defending the shooter in a case that left a child paralyzed. That child is in the care of Paolo. This is two different worlds colliding and two different philosophies. The jabbing at the table gets heated and the two women are not immune to taking shots at each other either. This monthly dinner is a ticking time bomb.
Paolo’s son, Michele (Jacopo Olmo Antinori) and Massimo’s daughter, Benni (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), get along very well, but they are compelled by a YouTube channel where there is planned violence. They mention JACKASS and talk about a show where people get knocked out for fun. When Michele has too much to drink one night, he and Benni viciously assault a homeless woman and after a small period in a coma, she passes away. The video footage of the incident was shown on national TV and it didn’t take long for the family to recognize the culprits.
A situation that should bring the two brothers closer drives a bigger wedge. Paolo looks at the situation as a way for his brother to point out his flaws. When Massimo insists that the teens turn themselves in, it is immediately met by resistance from Paolo and his wife. Sofia isn’t allowed to have an opinion as the newest member of this group, and the battle gets more intense with every word. Massimo wants the best for the two while Paolo wants to desperately protect his young son from any punishment whatsoever. Although Massimo believes that they will not serve any prison time, Paolo isn’t so sure and the battle lines are drawn, leading to a shocking conclusion.
THE DINNER is a superb movie with plenty of shifting tides. The acting is great throughout and the pace moves quickly, leading to a tremendous finale. I highly recommend this film. The production is very nice with great cinematography and attention to set design. Every shot has an artistic feel and every setting has an atmosphere that you can immediately feel. There was a great attention to detail from beginning to end.
Released by Film Movement (www.filmmovement.com), THE DINNER includes a behind the scenes featurette and has English and Italian subtitles. I highly recommend it and it is very relatable to everyone. It invites you into the lives of two men, both living the perceived ideal life, only to have it shattered and reality stepping in to show them otherwise. The evolution of both Massimo and Paolo was so natural and believable as well. I loved THE DINNER.
Rating: 8/10