The Dinner
The Dinner

Movie spotlight

The Dinner

2020
Movie
78 min
Hebrew

Ema and Gregori come from Ukraine. They were very excited about immigrating to Israel. New country, new opportunities. They cross paths with a wealthy ageing middle-class Israeli couple whose relationship is in crisis.

Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Metacritic46/100
Google Users50%
Director: Ike BarinholtzGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Two couples, brothers and their wives, meet for a lavish dinner to discuss a terrible crime their teenage sons committed. As the night progresses, simmering resentments and moral ambiguities rise to the surface, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about their families and themselves. The evening becomes a tense exploration of parental responsibility, social standing, and the lengths one might go to protect their children.

Critical Reception

The Dinner received mixed to negative reviews from critics. While some praised its ambition and the performances of its lead actors, many found the film's tone to be uneven and its message muddled. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some appreciating its dark themes and others finding it unsatisfying.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its strong ensemble cast, particularly the performances of Richard Gere and Steve Coogan.

  • Criticized for its heavy-handed dialogue and a lack of clear resolution.

  • Some found the film's attempt at dark satire to be heavy-handed and ultimately unsuccessful.

Google audience: Audiences were split on "The Dinner," with many appreciating the acting talent involved and the attempt to tackle a serious subject. However, a significant portion of viewers found the film to be preachy, slow-paced, and ultimately unsatisfying in its exploration of morality and family dynamics.

Fun Fact

The film is an American remake of the 2013 Dutch film of the same name, which was based on the best-selling novel by Herman Koch.

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