479, 599, 762 André Gregory & Wallace Shawn: 3 Films

[Tribe]

How funny would it have been to have a commentary with Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn, though, just talking over themselves talking? Not even talking about the film, just catching up after a couple of decades.

At dinner even...with restaurant background sounds.

[domino harvey]

All moaning aside, this is now one of the five best films in the collection and one I'm really excited about more people getting exposed to. I still remember the first time I saw it, one late night several years ago. It was like 3AM when I finished and it was hell not being able to call everyone I knew up to tell them about it-- I've found even your best friend is not likely to be receptive to even the most hyperbolic movie praise if you wake them up in the middle of the night. I know several of us have been exchanging reservations about Criterion's branding effect, but at least here is a case where it will pay off: this film is going to be seen, known, and appreciated by a relatively wide audience for more than its formal reputation

[tartarlamb]

I had a similar experience with this film. I sometimes wonder if there's any other way of watching this other than stumbling on to it on TV late at night. Its also the way I saw Vanya, which is a great companion piece to this film.

[HerrSchreck]

Insomniac nights redeemed by the pleasures of The Late Movie. What better way is there to bump into an unexpected masterpiece?

[kaujot]

Can't wait for this. I read Ebert's Great Movies review of it back in 2003 or so and have been dying to see it since then.

[aox]

I have wanted to see this since the Season 5 episode of the Simpsons from the mid-90s had Martin playing the "My Dinner With Andre" video game.

Tell me more....

[domino harvey]

And that's not the only animated treatment of the film

[Forrest Taft]

There is also the Andy Kaufman version, My Breakfast with Blassie.

[Matt]

It's like an echo chamber in here.

[Cronenfly]

It would seem Optimum released Andre in the UK earlier this month, minus special features but a whole lot cheaper (and, though I don't know about the quality of the transfer, at least it won't be pictureboxed). Assuming one can live with the PAL speedup and the hideous cover, at least there's one more way to see the movie now.

EDIT-Michael B notes in the Optimum thread that there are no transfer issues, the soundtrack is clear, and there's a trailer included, so the R2 release certainly seems like a viable choice for those who don't want to wait/want to save a little dough/can live without the CC special features.

[exte]

My Dinner with Andre

Dammit, I was really hoping they'd include the complete screenplay like they have other books. I guess because this is something people would actually want to read and use, they decided not to bother

For once I totally agree.. Come on Criterion, we know you read this!

[richast2]

How funny would it have been to have a commentary with Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn, though, just talking over themselves talking? Not even talking about the film, just catching up after a couple of decades.

shades of Down By Law--John Lurie gives a commentary track over an interview with him from 1986. One of my favorite Criterion extras.

[aox]

I am curious as to why there is such a demand for this film's screenplay.

Keep in mind, I haven't seen this film.

[knives]

To my knowledge Dinner was done in a very Curb You Enthusiasm way, the actors even use their own names. Maybe they want to compare what was written down to how the actors interpreted it.

[MichaelB]

It would seem Optimum released Andre in the UK earlier this month, minus special features but a whole lot cheaper (and, though I don't know about the quality of the transfer, at least it won't be pictureboxed). Assuming one can live with the PAL speedup and the hideous cover, at least there's one more way to see the movie now.

I really can't fathom why PAL speedup would be an issue with a film that's wall-to-wall talk!

[Cronenfly]

It would seem Optimum released Andre in the UK earlier this month, minus special features but a whole lot cheaper (and, though I don't know about the quality of the transfer, at least it won't be pictureboxed). Assuming one can live with the PAL speedup and the hideous cover, at least there's one more way to see the movie now.

I really can't fathom why PAL speedup would be an issue with a film that's wall-to-wall talk!

I thought one of the biggest issues for some people with PAL speedup is the change in actors' vocal pitches, which isn't something I've ever taken issue with, but in which case this film would potentially be affected more than most (given the surplus of chatter).

[Antoine Doinel]

Wallace Shawn talks about his experiences with My Dinner With Andre (as well as some other roles) with the AV Club.

[dospatines]

Its also the way I saw Vanya, which is a great companion piece to this film.

Let's not forget another film Wallace Shawn had a hand in- The Designated Mourner.

All three films are among the very best American films of the past thirty years.

Now there's a topic tailor made for this forum. Which film is more intellectually stimulating - "The Designated Mourner" or "My Dinner With Andre"?

[domino harvey]

Uh, why is this now listed as 1.66?

[CSM126]

Uh, why is this now listed as 1.66?

Probably because that's how it was shown in theaters and they're dumb enough to think that means anything.

Could be worse - I've seen this movie matted to 1.85! My Live Burial With Andre would've been a better title for how claustrophobic it was.

[domino harvey]

Haha, yikes! If this is true, I'll be buying the Optimum and renting the Criterion for the extras. Christ, that's what I get for thinking they dropped the ball before. This is what the ball being dropped looks like.

[tojoed]

Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn in conversation in today's London Times.

[Antoine Doinel]

Reid Rosefelt, formerly of New Yorker Films, talks about how he initially felt My Dinner With Andre would've worked better as a play instead of a film.

[Cronenfly]

Beaver; 1.66:1 it is (though it looks better than I feared/reveals more info within the frame), and two discs (thus the upper-tier pricing).

[domino harvey]

Well, I guess that's the "best" way for it to be matted 1.66, but it still leaves me terrified about their handling of Zazie.