Almost thirty years have gone by since Wallace Shawn and André Gregory sat down for dinner on the Upper West Side and talked (and talked) their way into film history. So for our new special edition DVD of that encounter, Louis Malle’s My Dinner with André, we thought it essential to get those two prodigious pontificators talking on camera again, about their experiences making the movie. For these new interviews, Wally and André chose as their interlocutor filmmaker and friend Noah Baumbach, who came by our offices with his personal crew to talk to each of them, separately. Here’s a taste of the interview with Wally, in which the actor and playwright discusses the impetus for My Dinner with André and those parts of himself he wanted to “destroy” in writing and playing his character.
1981
110 min
Color
1.66:1
Categories: Video
5 Comments
Wed 01 Jul at 05:08 PM
Ed Wardwell
I have always loved this film and will have to see it many more times to resolve the question: WHY?
positively disposed,
Ed Wardwell
Wed 01 Jul at 05:29 PM
Len
The first time I saw this film I had no idea what it was about. I was attracted to it by the director and the stars. So I sat there waiting for them to do something besides eat and talk. I got quite antsy.
After I left the theater I realized what I had seen but had not paid enough attention to really appreciate it. A few days later, knowing what to expect, I went back to see it and pay attention. I had many discussions with friends about this film and have seen it several times since.
I am looking forward to seeing the additional material.
Wed 01 Jul at 05:42 PM
Len
BTW…I am still looking for a waiter like to one in the film. Efficient and non-intrusive.
Thu 02 Jul at 02:01 PM
DONNA
when i first saw this film i was enchanted with andre…then for a time i denied the andre side and became the fear ridden bourgeois that shawn speaks of…now the andre emerges again…and it seems as if no time has passed….their conversation is an elixir for the soul!!
Sat 11 Jul at 03:08 AM
Kevin
I recall the first time I saw this film. I had read a review that had described the film as a great series of adventures. So it is. It is an adventure for those with imaginations. For those who think and dream and read and imagine.
For those stuck in the temporal world of maya, this film will not be signficant. Those people will find it boring, and my suggestion would be to find a mindless, escapist action film to enjoy.
For those on the eternal quest to be more real and fully-actualised human beings, this may become one of the most significant films you can watch. Enjoy the adventure.
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