Melvin Goes to Dinner

Michael Blieden wrote the play in which the film is based. "Melvin Goes to Dinner" is a fast paced adaptation directed by Bob Odenkirk. It was a refreshing movie in which the writer, Mr. Blieden, has opened up the play in a satisfying way.

The premise of the film is a dinner among friends. During the dinner we get to know the dynamics among the diners. These yuppies are not the shallow individuals we might have taken them for. During the course of the dinner while the tongues get loose with the drinking, we realize what's really going on. The conversation is easy, and friendly, which is what happens when people that haven't seen one another for some period of time, will pick up where they left off the last time they met.

The young cast is likable. The author, Michael Blieden plays the leading role of Melvin. Matt Rice is Joey. Annabelle Gurwitch is Sarah, the woman who is connected to one of the friends in a way the others have no idea. The revelation makes sense. Stephanie Courtney, as Alex, is good. Jack Black appears in a cameo.

Bring another bottle of Pinot Noir, please!

It took me a little time to get used to this movie but when I was in thralls I enjoyed the likeable characters, the believable dialogue and the realism of how you open up over a bottle of wine. A must for any indie movie lovers who enjoy a simple story.

Four people, two guys and two gals, at different places in their lives, chance to meet at a restaurant for dinner one day, and end up revealing themselves and discovering each other in ways none of them could have predicted. For the most part, they are bright, young, upwardly mobile professionals, comfortable discussing themselves, and hence even without a psychologist to act as moderator, they interact in a manner reminiscent of group therapy. That is, they take turns admitting their secret thoughts and obsessions, take issue with each other on some points, and try to benefit from each other's experiences and perspectives. One of them even has some background in a field related to psychiatry, but of course with minimal insight.

The point of the film seems to be that, thanks to their group discussion, they all develop a wider perspective on life, but especially Melvin, whose life had been spiraling out of control. In some regards he seems the brighter of the four, yet the least insightful. All of the characters become more aware of themselves through their interactions over dinner, but it is Melvin who benefits the most. How he grows, and what he learns from that encounter, are what makes this film worth viewing. Thanks to his opportunity, Melvin doesn't just go out to dinner, but learns to take control of his life. It is a very subtle story, but worthy of critical attention.

I caught Melvin Goes To Dinner in one of only 45 seats in the Private Screening Room at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, MA. I knew going into the theater, that I was in for brilliance, as I have been with anything I've seen that was associated with Bob Odenkirk. Regretfully, I had never heard the name Michael Blieden before this film. I look forward to seeing more of his work, whether it be as an actor or writer in the future.

This is a poignant, no holds barred, almost voyeuristic look into the lives of a group of people eating dinner together. As the dinner progresses, so do the intricacies of each these individual's' life unfold, as each bears their souls through the dinnertime conversation.

While definitely humorous, the film is not light-hearted. Appearances by Jack Black, David Cross, and Bob Odenkirk are well-placed within the various stories that unfold. Every minute of the film kept my attention and kept me hungering for more. This is definitely a film that will keep giving if seen more than once.

An absolutely brilliant film that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait until it comes out on video or DVD so that I can add it to my much coveted collection of films. I highly recommend catching this film.

If you read a few of the reviews that gave this movie 1/10 then you'll know how I felt for the first 10-15 mins. "Melvin Goes to Dinner" can be difficult at first, mainly because we are given no formal introduction to the characters, so if you aren't instinctively drawn to eavesdropping on tables full of seemingly self-important hipsters, you may find yourself flipping the channel. But stick with it, at least up to the Jack Black (uncredited) scene. After that, things loosen up and you may find yourself really liking these people whom you had initially hated.

What, you say? Jack Black doesn't do it for you? Even though it's one of the most bizarrely ridiculous roles he's ever played, like a deleted scene from Spinal Tap or something? Fine, well maybe you'll have fun star-spotting for appearances by Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL) or Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids, SNL) and maybe a few others I didn't catch. They're fast.

Once you've settled in and invested some time getting to know these 4 characters and their distinct personalities, things start to get fun. Stories begin to mesh, consistent themes begin to emerge, and you're guaranteed at least 1 or 2 total "woah no way!" surprises that are worth the price of admission. By the end of the flick, what I had initially expected would be a dry, rambling, exhibition of nothing ended up being a cleverly written, well acted and ultimately rewarding experience. No, there aren't any shootouts, zombies or car chases (well... maybe 1 pseudo car chase), but in the tradition of the great plays "Who's Afraid of Virginial Woolf", "Long Day's Journey into Night" or any other classic play that focuses on a bunch of people talking for an evening, "Melvin Goes to Dinner" is a great experience.

It should be noted that the 4 main cast members are the same original cast from "Phyro-Giants" the play upon which this film is based. So they have great chemistry, and their lines flow effortlessly as if... well, as if they'd memorized every line, expression and gesture after a 100 performances or so.

The camera work is raw and unpretentious as it should be, consisting of hand held shots and frequent closeups just as you'd experience if you were sitting at the table with these people. Everything feels casual even though it was meticulously edited (by the star/writer Melvin himself on an archaic Mac computer). There are a few flashback scenes which use an interesting snapshot type presentation (which, when you think about it, is how we imagine stories that are being told to us without any reference).

If you get the DVD, be sure to watch the extras where they include some footage from the original play. The audience's reactions and laughter really add to the fun. If they ever revive the stage production of this, I'll definitely be in the front row.