Rating: 
Summary: A dialogical journey into aliveness.....
Review: Two men who haven't met for a long while sit down and talk--about life. One, Wally, starts the conversation with a thoughtless, "You look great!" Andre replies, "Well, I FEEL awful."I just came back from hearing the two actors discuss the film in person at UCSB, and I'll add a bit from their impressions: They had no intention of creating a smash, knew nothing about financing such a film, and started out by getting some of Andre's stories (yes, they're real, the actor did those things) and Wally's responses on tape. They did this for about a year and a half, talking wherever the talk led them. Wally had for a time been the "cold coffee" man who believed in science and chance and coincidence, and he wanted to move beyond that. Andre had been opened up and shattered by the events he narrates, and he wanted to talk about it. That's how the film started out: a project between two men speaking and listening from the heart. The movie ran for six weeks in four cities and was dying. ("That couldn't happen today," Wally said this evening. "It would have been pulled long before.") At one point Andre went to a theater up the road and told men standing in line to see a gay film, "Hey, if you can't get into this one, there's another movie about two men right over there...." Then Ebert and Siskell saw it and began to praise it, and before long it took off. (And no, they don't plan a sequel.) Asked how making the movie had changed him, Andre replied that he came away a humbler man. The interest in this film, which deals with issues of staying alive in a society of near-robotic sleepwalking, astounded him. He believed in the film (and the dialog and writing are marvelous), but had no idea it would speak to so many people. Fascism, Hitler, and terrorists are mentioned in the film, although briefly; the actors agreed that had they filmed it today, more along those lines would have appeared in it. Both are appalled at the rapid development of the American police state since 911; but as Andre remarks in the film, the ultimate in tyranny and confinement is to condition the prisoners to be their own guards. A good slogan for this soulful film, which I warmly recommend, might be Camus's statement: "Being able to remain on that dizzying crest: that is integrity, and the rest is subterfuge."
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite movies
Review: I first saw "My Dinner With Andre" when I was involved in theatre. The director I was working with was much like Andre Gregory, who had worked with Grotowski. So when I first saw "My Dinner With Andre," Andre Gregory's dialogue about his adventures and experiences in Poland were very much the same as the training in theatre I was currently going through and when Andre Gregory spoke about it, I felt like someone was telling my story on the big screen. My first viewing of this film was very inspiring and Andre Gregory became a hero to me. I wanted to go out and tackle life and go on crazy adventures like Andre Gregory did. It even inspired me to go visit Findhorn(Which Andre Gregory talks about in the film). I can't really describe how important this film was to me; it was like a new chapter in my life. I thought after I had gone through this certain phase in my life, that this film would seem outdated and not as rewarding as the first time. In fact, "My Dinner With Andre" gets better with every viewing because you hear the dialogue with a new view of life and understand then you did before. Sometimes I feel more like Andre and other times I feel like Wallace. I think what is so amazing and inspiring about this film, is in an age of cell phones and e-mail and chat rooms and family eating at separate times(I'm not saying this is wrong, it's just a fact), it is rare in modern times to sit down with someone special and have a conversation about your deepest experiences and what you are really thinking and going through. After seeing this film, you see dinner with someone as a ritual or rite. It is not just about having a dinner but an experience with someone that can change the soul. There is no other film I've seen that has had such a personal effect on me. A must see.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking film that will expand your thinking
Review: First saw this movie when it came out. Went to see it with a group of friends. After the movie we went to an all night coffee shop and talked about the film and how it related to our lives until the sun came up. This film made me laugh, contemplate life then cry at the end when Andre talks about how one day his son was just a little boy and before he knew it, he saw his grown adult son standing before him and he wonders, where did that young child go? Where did that time go? This film is not for everyone. Have watched this film with people who wondered when the two characters were going to finish dinner, and when would the action pick up? Other people were left in the dark because they had never read "The Little Prince" and had no idea what Andre was talking about when he referred to the book. However, if you are someone who questions life and looks to find meaning or purpose in your life, you will be pleasantly surprised. At the end of the movie, I always need to talk with friends and loved ones about the issues that are always raised watching this film. For me, this is a film I have watched yearly (usually more) because it allows me to concentrate on what really is and is not important in life. This movie always puts life and all the "things" that happen in my life back, into perspective. Although Andre's adventures seem rather abstract at times, he eventually brings the conversation to a point where Wallace Shaw can understand what he is saying because he starts using examples and situations in every day life. He explains that you don't have to go to Tibet to meditate or be buried alived for the night in Poland to truly experience life and what it is all about. This is, by far, my favorite film and will always be my favorite film. Watching this movie is a gift I give to myself.
Rating:
Summary: Mindwalk / Dinner with Andre / Stalker Philosophical Trilogy
Review: Mindwalk / Dinner with Andre / Stalker Philosophical Trilogy Other's have reviewed these movies quite well on their own so I will rather review these 3 as a trilogy because I feel that they are each interconnected in a profound way. Watch in the following order for these reasons. 1) Mindwalk is more contemporary and accessible I think for most people.
Mindwalk is pretty much a stylistic copy off of Stalker except it has Fritjof Capra's views on the new quantum paradigm replacing the deep conversations in Stalker. So you don't want to view these two back-to-back. 2) My Dinner w/ Andre is certainly a classic, it will always do you some good to see it, especially when bookended by these other two. It sheds insight into the current human condition of "robotism" (to quote E.Fromm). Where Mindwalk works at the surface on an abstract global level Andre works on the intra-personal level. The dialogue focuses on examples of centered around the concept of our personal "work" and dips into mystical acts all the while questioning... how can we be more "alive"? One can envisions Gudreiff and Ouspensky having this same conversation 50 years prior. At times it's loops back into Mindwalk realm towards the end. Aside, when I watch this movie I wonder sometimes if this is where Seinfeld got the idea for his show... people just sitting around the coffee shop having discussion, a parody of our robotic natures. 3) When I first saw Stalker I thought... "I've been waiting my whole life to see this movie" and I still feel that way on each subsequent viewing. Stalker then moves the viewer into the transcendental levels of questioning, Of note is it's deep visual metaphors. When you see the final scene of Stalker you will understand what the true transcendental potential of all the discourse and dialog which you have been privy to for 7 hours is all about. Aside: Of sad and ironic note, the very radiations which were described in Mindwalk were the cause of Tarkovsky's early demise after filming this movie in a Soviet radioactive wasteland. There are no easy answers with these movies and perhaps they bring up more questions than you'd like but if you are up for a good brain-enema these will do the trick. Oh... you might as well top it all of with a viewing of "Mulholand Drive"... you might just understand it after viewing these other 3 films. ;)
Rating: 
Summary: The Conversation
Review: I once read the thing that makes a movie great is when your done watching it, you'd like to meet the characters in the movie in real life. Louis Malle's "My Dinner With Andre" is one of those types of movies. "My Dinner With Andre" is filled with philosophical ideas and theories. We ourselves would like to have a conversation like this with a friend or a boyfriend\girlfriend, husband or wife. Infact as we watch the film we wish we could somehow join the conversation in the movie and offer our own ideas! For some odd reason I've never really paid attention to the films of Louis Malle. I've seen some of course, but, he never really striked me as one of the greats. Well recently I find I've been caught in his film world. I'm very eager to watch some of his films over again, and some for the first time. I feel his sensibilities as a filmmaker match my own. I don't know if that makes any sense. What I mean to say is, what he finds to be sympathetic and interesting I do too. Many people before watching this film always seem to find it odd how the film's plot can be enjoyable. For those who don't know, the story is merely about two friends meeting having dinner. They talk about their work (They both work in the theathre), about their families, religion, and just in general, life. What people should and shouldn't do. "My Dinner With Andre" is so fascinating that at times we just my forget the the movie only revolves around two characters. That we are actually just watching a movie about a conversation. Which I admit on the surface does seem boring. But, after you've seen this movie you'll be very impressed. My only complaint with this movie is the first 40 minutes of conversation between Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn. Only because what Gregory is talking about doesn't seem to connect with the audience. He's talking about his soul-searching days travellling to foreign countries. This is not a theme everyone who watches the movie can relate to. Or maybe it was just me. It's after all of this that the two start to discuss the more universal issues that we can relate to; work, family, trying to find happiness...ect. But still in all, "My Dinner With Andre" is a movie I would recommend everyone make an attempt to see. It will turn out to be a rewarding experience. Bottom-line: Probably the most accessible film by filmmaker Louis Malle. A rare movie experience that rewards us in ways we may not have thought possible. A modern classic.
Rating:
Summary: You Are In For A Treat
Review: I have seen this movie several times and have always discovered new revelations during each viewing. Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory are brilliant. They spend almost the entire time before the cameras in animated conversation while eating dinner in a small restaurant in New York City. The conversation is unforgettable and the reason it will not soon leave my memory is that I feel I was there at the table with them. This effect is due to the considerable skills of the director, Louis Malle. Shawn has been a busy actor and playwright throughout his career with frequent appearances in various productions such as VANYA ON 42ND STREET, a movie with the same kind of appeal as MY DINNER WITH ANDRE. Gregory has worked primarily as a stage director. Louis Malle is also an excellent director with many film credits including VANYA ON 42ND STREET.
Rating:
Summary: Can We Talk????
Review: This is probably movie making at it's finest. I love the way the auidence is respected in this dialouge. For once it appears that the director and producer assumes that grown ups can appreciate two people having dinner and discussing almost every possible topic from the slightly insane to real thought provoking. It is worth every penny I paid to own this treat.
Rating: 
Summary: Realy 0 stars...
Review: Let's put it this way: It's like Seinfeld, only there is nothing even remotely funny in My Dinner with Andre, no one from Seinfeld is in it, and it's called My Dinner with Andre. Now, let's see the other reason it get's no stars (Now that I think about it, make my score negative one star), is that this movie is about 2 hours long (if not longer...), and all these people do is talk. That's right, ALL THEY DO IS TALK. Oh, wait, something else does happen: they eat. My God, this thing'll have you on the edge of your seat to see if the restaurant isn't out of pie... that was a joke. But there aren't any of those in this movie. in short, do not see it.
P.S. If you want to read another one of my reviews, click on Manhunter: The Director's Cut on DVD. My review is dated in August, and it is titled: TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS!
Rating: 
Summary: Come, Let Andre Wine and Dine You.
Review: I found this movie rather boring, but I must admit, it did appear insightful. Though yes, at times, pretentious. This is my take on the film. As the evening wore on, Andre and Wallace became increasingly drunk. However, whereas the wine seemed to loosen up Wally's tongue, Andre strangely became more sane (?????).
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest movies - EVER!
Review: I don't know about the quality of the picture on the DVD, but I would rather stare at snow and just listen to Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn talk than never experience this movie.
Someone else said that Gregory was a narcisitic bore, but the movie is about his experiences over a couple of years. Kind of hard to do without mentioning himself.
The conversation is awesome, and the ideas therein are probably not too unfamiliar to anyone nowadays who might watch it, but it is still incredible to hear them articulated so well.
I recommend reading the screenplay too, as there are a couple of Andres stories that got left out of the final cut of the movie. Although they don't change the basic message of the movie, they are interesting, especially if you can find the book used.
All in all, this is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen, and would recommend it to anyone who has ever wondered if our society has gone a little nutty.
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