Review of Dinner with Friends (2001) by Sunil J — 04 Feb 2009

This is probably supposed to be a very analytical examination of relationships, middle age and the conflict between conformity and independance. The goals are admirable, and the film tries very hard to be very deep and influential. Unfortunately it all seems very clich�©d and the story doesn't really bring anything new to the table.

Donald Marqulies has adapted a screenplay from his own Pulizer Award winning play. The dialogue is simply awful at times, and doesn't feel genuine at all. On top of that the four actors, who have done some good stuff in the past, are quite lost with their roles. The fact that the film is directed in an old fashioned, Lifetime TV-movie sort of way and coated with awful soap opera music doesn't help one bit.