THE LOVERS Review THE DINNER Review —  —  A couple of thoughtful films about well seasoned people

THE LOVERS Review

 I’m always thrilled to see films made by and for people over 35. Not that I don’t love all the fabulous Millennials in my life, but I grow weary of movie focusing on their trials and tribulations that seem so trivial and self absorbed from my lofty, craggy perspective atop all these many decades.

The Lovers explores one Baby Boomer couple’s romantic life, once their only son has left the nest. Nothing shiny or glamorous here — just poignant authenticity, and that’s why I found it so endearing. Mary (Debra Winger) is married to Michael (Tracy Letts). Completely unbeknownst to each other, they’re both handling their matrimonial lethargy in the same manner: with sizzling affairs.

Their fragile balance is thrown off when marital sparks are inadvertently rekindled, and their self absorbed Millennial son brings his girlfriend home for a visit. Without giving anything away, let me just say that the ending is a delightful surprise.

Rated R

1 Hour 34 Minutes

https://youtu.be/r1o-XSHgypE

THE DINNER Review

The Dinner is based on the sophisticated bestseller of the same name by Herman Koch, although you wouldn’t know it from the publicity. Owen Moverman gets all the credit for writing the script and directing, so I’m going to hold him responsible for stripping it of its European elegance and intrigue, and bloating it with over the top Americana, including a rambling and incoherent tour of the Gettysburg battlefield.

It’s basically the story of two brothers, and the lengths they and their wives will go to to protect their sons, who have done something unspeakably horrendous. Steve Coogan, with a passable American accent, plays the disturbed and abrasive middle-class brother, while Richard Gere is the wealthy Congressman about to run for governor.

They come together over dinner at an insufferably posh restaurant, with their wives (Laura Linney and Rebecca Hall, respectively) to decide what should be done about the situation. Coogan’s character is so relentlessly irascible, however, that it completely overwhelms the dinner, and the film.

Apparently there is a Dutch adaptation and an Italian adaptation, both having been nominated for numerous awards. Don’t hold your breath for the American adaptation to win such honors.

Rated R

2 Hours

Get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

THE LOVERS Review THE DINNER Review —  —  A couple of thoughtful films about well seasoned people