Lunch

I really enjoyed this film. These men are creative geniuses and it was great to see them all in one place having a good time. Some of my favorites from these writers include: MASH, Different Strokes, The National Lampoon films. So it was great to hear them reminisce about those times. The film not only has footage from the restaurant conversations but also feature one on one interviews with each of the writers. Which I really liked a lot. The personal stories of how they came to be writers, to their stories of their family life. It was all very interesting. I recommend this film to anyone who loves classic TV and movies, it's also just interesting to see how these creative minds think.

For the past four decades, a group of writers and directors, of film and television, have met for an informal lunch every other Wednesday. Over the years, the attendees have changed as have the meeting locales, with this day's get together at Factor's Famous Deli.

Many of the men you can see are physically aging, and several of the attendees have passed on since the filming of the documentary, thus the youngest of the group John Rappoport half-jokingly states he's been named the "designated cane" of the group. However, the minds of these legends are laser sharp, as they tell jokes, spin witty stories, and gently kibbitz with one another.

This is not a "can you top this" environment, as it's more laid back and friendly than anything else. There are also side interviews, away from the lunch table, where these brilliant men can relate some fascinating tidbits form their lives and careers.

The director of the film, Donna Kanter, has given us a light-hearted, interesting, and humorous movie that I enjoyed, as I was sitting and eating lunch with these legends.

I really, really loved listening to all the classic Hollywood stories in "Lunch." It was like having a seat at the most exclusive table in town! Legend after legend tells stories about how the made in showbiz, and they also have some thoughts on modern comedy as well! I especially loved listing to Carl Reiner's stories. I have always been a fan of "The Jerk" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" so it was really cool to listen to him share some insight. There were also some sad parts as well. Tales of lose and tales of trouble getting work are told, and even though it's sad seeing these legends struggle their work ethic is inspiring and mad me think that maybe I shouldn't complain so much!

It's almost impressive that a movie with such a simple premise (old Hollywood icons gather for a bi-weekly lunch) can end up this shockingly uneven. It's barely a movie; in fact it's more akin to listening to your great-grandpa tell a long-winded, aimless, repetitive story. I'm honestly not even sure how to approach it as a piece of media; it jumps between tones, themes, ideas and focuses with no concern for its audience.

"Lunch" is a documentary of a bunch of legendary comedy writers who have a weekly bi-weekly lunch at Factor's deli in Los Angeles. They meet talk about politic, talk about the past and give each other a hard time. In between the filmed footage of the lunch each member is interviewed and their back story is flushed out and their current situation is examined. This was my favorite part of the film. It was kinda sad watching these legends of comedy struggle to find traction in a modern world that has determined them to be over the hill. The great thing is these aren't the type to mope, they get up dust of the computer and continue to write. A must view for anyone who loves the classic comedies. I throughly enjoyed this film!