My Dinner With Andre

A film by Louis Malle famous for consisting in its entirety of a conversation over dinner between two old friends, Andre and Wallace. The film plays out in real time in a restaurant in New York City (although it was actually filmed in a old deserted hotel in Virginia). It was released in 1981. The conversation ranges over the theatre, Andre's experiences since he stopped being a theatre director and then modern life in general. Now, I realise that this sounds almost unbearable, but, much to my surprise, it was utterly compelling. The conversation draws you in and you begin to feel much like a third person at the table. I found myself wanting to offer my own opinions. By the end I felt disappointed that dinner had come to an end and wanted to spend more time with these two brilliant conversationalists. Whilst, much as you would expect in real life, nothing is resolved in the conversation, the film leaves you sharing Wallace's elation as he is driven home in a taxi through the late night streets of NYC. There is something particularly moving about the film's final words. In voice-over Wallace says that when he got home he told his girlfriend about his dinner with Andre.

Spud

Marius (13 yo) and Quinlan (9 yo) just accompanied me to see Spud at the Orpheum, where it was followed by a Q&A with John Cleese. Its a great little movie, one of the best I think ever to come out of South Africa. The very funny and in turn, very moving, story of young Spud's (Troy Sivian) first year at a posh boys' boarding school in the Natal mid-lands in South Africa. Its based on the first of four books by John van de Ruit, about his school days at Michealhouse. It takes place at the time of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, but the film does not focus much of the political backdrop, wisely concentrating on the misadventures of young Spud and his school mates. Its true to life. John Cleese is a delight as the cantankerous, yet big hearted English master. The soundtrack references many popular songs from local bands such as Mango Groove, eVoid and Bright Blue that were popular at the time. Seeing John speak afterwards was a rare and wonderful treat. He was as ever erudite and entertaining.

Me And You And Everyone We Know

Anyone with an interest in movies should get hold of a copy of Roger Ebert's Four Star Movie Guide. You will find it an invaluable source of gems that you may have overlooked, such as this totally unique take on contemporary life from Miranda July. Me And You And Everyone We Know lets us spend a bit of time looking intimately at the lives of a group of loosely connected people. Each character in his or her own way is trying to make a greater, better connection to someone. The main thread is of a lonely shoe salesman (John Hawkes), recently separated from his wife, and quirky performance artist (Miranda July) who are obviously meant for each other, but are struggling somehow to get together. There are some great performances and memorable scenes, and although it seems like a movie in which nothing much happens, it grips you from the very beginning and leaves you feeling elated.