MovieChat Forums > My Dinner with Andre (1981) Discussion > Another bad movie hyped up by reviewers

Another bad movie hyped up by reviewers

posted 3 years ago by HerrStrauss (126)
8 replies | jump to latest

I put myself through the torture of watching this movie although by the first 15 minutes I was sure that it is going to be an absolute waste of time. Now I can definitely say that unless you are impressed by any nonsense just because it has been hyped up on forums and websites, do yourself a favor and skip this movie.

To explain why I think it is a very bad movie I want to first point to something baffling. Obviously, before watching this movie I read the forums here and people were describing this movie as a masterpiece, ageless, ahead of its time, etc. Someone even claimed to watch this movie tens of times every year and each time he/she finds something new in it! It just doesn't make sense to read these comments. Don't get me wrong, I love movies that wholly are dedicated to a single setting and conversation. That's why I wanted to watch this movie. But if you think this is a movie like "Carnage," "Who is afraid of Virginia Wolf," “Before sunset,” or “12 Angry Men,” you are deeply mistaken. Those are real movies, this is not a movie! It is just a staged conversation that shows no trace of directorial or artistic talent. It is so poor from the artistic perspective that cult followers on this forum try to find some acting in meaningless glances of supporting cast and background noises!

This is not obviously the whole problem. The conversation itself is completely nonsensical. You are practically listening to what you can find in the conversation of any two young and dumb junior college students who have just taken their first philosophy 101 course. Or you can hear the same mumbo jumbo, trivial, and half-baked ideas from the mouth of overpriced shrinks, motivational speakers, and hippie Yoga teachers. You must be really poor in cultural or intellectual resources to be impressed by this conversation. If you are looking for something intellectually rich, listen to a philosophical podcast made by people who actually work for a living on the subjects discussed in this superficial manner here. If you really care about these subjects pick up a book on Heidegger or Sartre. This movie is simply not worth the time to watch or think about.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Totally disagree. For me, this is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films of al time.

[–] Owlwise (1535) 3 years ago

It's a film that continues to change & grow as the viewer does, and as such always has something new to say.

[–] Owlwise (1535) 3 years ago

I also totally disagree with the OP. It's not only about what they talk about, but how they talk about it—the give-&-take between them—the willingness to really listen & hear what the other is saying, rather than just waiting for the chance to attack & refute. There's the humor in it, as Andre is just as much gently poking fun at himself & some of his ideas, as he is seriously expounding on them. There's the strong relationship of two friends parted for several years & rediscovering each other, and what they have in common despite coming from two very different worldviews.

And what they talk about itself is meaningful & moving, as it invariably returns to death—and in doing so, asks the viewer to consider what his or her life is about, what meaning they find in it or make for it. Neither pretends to have any real answers in the end, other than the asking of still more questions—which especially includes questioning one's own life & beliefs as that life is lived forward. And that's not just for them, but for the viewers as well.

But this film either connects with & resonates for you, or it doesn't. Obviously it doesn't for you. That's fine, I'm not going to slag you for it, or tell you that you just don't get it. If it doesn't work for you, then it doesn't work for you. For me, and for many others, it does work—and it works so well that we can return to to over the years & always find something new in it.

[–] liscarkat (18464) 2 years ago

It's pretentious and silly. But you're not supposed to say so. People will tell you to go watch "Transformers", then smugly congratulate themselves for saying something so clever.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Sounds like you have it bad! My sympathies.

[–] xanthas (3215) a year ago

I think your problem is that you should watch a film and give it a chance BEFORE looking online for opinions.

This movie is not everyone's cup of tea, but perhaps your expectations were too high.

[–] Owlwise (1535) 8 months ago

Well said!

[–] 123Guy (7323) 8 months ago

I gave it a chance twice - am pretty forgiving, even to bad movies - never made it though this.
I get what it is, felt more like a bad stage play that I would never want to sit through.
some love it, and that's fine, I felt like i was slowly dying FASTER while wasting my time watching it.