BEATRIZ at DINNER – Rated R – 1 hr. 32 mins.
Starring Salma Hayak, John Lithgow, Connie Britton, David Warshofsky, Chloe Sevigny, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass and John Early
Puerto Rican born Director Miguel Arteta (THE GOOD GIRL, ALEXANDER and the TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY) brings to light the latest fictional work of Writer Mike White (THE GOOD GIRL, NACHO LIBRE, SCHOOL OF ROCK), as we venture into the multidimensional life of holistic healer Beatriz…THIS IS BEATRIZ at DINNER!
Sharing her life with the world as a holistic medicine practitioner, we meet Beatriz (Salma Hayek), visiting her client, and friend Cathy (Connie Britton).
When her car won’t start, Cathy graciously invites Beatriz to stay for dinner, as Cathy is hosting a party that evening for a few of her husband Grant’s (David Warshofsky) business associates.
Cast into a situation at dinner that her life, and lifestyle have ill equipped her for, Beatriz soon finds herself lashing out at a guest ~ business mogul Doug Strutt (John Lithgow) ~ as his statements about acquisitions, destroying land, animal habitat and people’s lives too in the process, is making her blood boil!!!
As this dinner party continues to go awry, Beatriz must decide if she is going to stay over night as Cathy had suggested earlier in the evening, or if she is going to find a way to leave this madness, before she uses all control with these abhorrently vial individuals…
I give BEATRIZ at DINNER a rating of WAIT AND CATCH THIS FILM ON NETFLIX OR HULU: Even though I totally adore Salma Hayak, and found myself looking forward to viewing another comedic work of Mike White’s – this film is far from comedic, or nearly as entertaining as I had hoped it would be going in. The foundation of a storyline is there – as we experience Beatriz living in a connected world with nature and the “real world” most of us inhabit throughout our lives. And her challenging the business and environmentally cruel world that Lithgow’s character revels in, in contrast to hers, is emotionally charged and poignant too. But this film, with its experienced cast, and environmental viewpoint, was totally missing something for me. When it was all said and done, BEATRIZ at DINNER needed more substance ~ even with its beautiful images, and stark contrast of views on life. And its meager attempts at comedy seemed rather futile, as this film totally plays out more as a drama with a message, than any comedy film I’ve ever seen. Plus, there were just too many holes within the frames of this film for me to gather a clear understanding of what White’s vision for this story truly was…leading me to suggest you wait and catch this film in a few weeks, in the comfort of your very own home!
Kathy Kaiser
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 