Film ReviewsBeatriz at Dinner: Some 2017 film gems
Dec 27, 2017 Anchorage Press
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Beatriz At Dinner by Miguel Arteta
Miguel Arteta directs Beatriz At Dinner, a film that reflects the times without giving in to stereotypes or emotional manipulation on the current state of the world. The film stars Salma Hayek as Beatriz, a healer and massage therapist whose car breaks down at Kathy’s (Connie Britton) house, Beatriz’ client. Kathy invites Beatriz to stay for dinner even though the dinner is to commemorate a big business deal that was just landed in collaboration with Doug Strutt, a real estate mogul played by John Lithgow. It’s pretty clear from the get-go that two worlds are about to collide. Arteta’s brilliant direction sets up the dynamics beautifully and subtly, so while it seems that the movie is on the quiet side and the character of Beatriz is passive, the reality is that the film turns on the tension and slowly increases it to a sustained level until it can no longer be sustained. The director then breaks the tension in a way that is satisfying and unexpected, only to dial it back and its impact be permanent.
Miguel Arteta directs Beatriz At Dinner, a film that reflects the times without giving in to stereotypes or emotional manipulation on the current state of the world. The film stars Salma Hayek as Beatriz, a healer and massage therapist whose car breaks down at Kathy’s (Connie Britton) house, Beatriz’ client. Kathy invites Beatriz to stay for dinner even though the dinner is to commemorate a big business deal that was just landed in collaboration with Doug Strutt, a real estate mogul played by John Lithgow. It’s pretty clear from the get-go that two worlds are about to collide. Arteta’s brilliant direction sets up the dynamics beautifully and subtly, so while it seems that the movie is on the quiet side and the character of Beatriz is passive, the reality is that the film turns on the tension and slowly increases it to a sustained level until it can no longer be sustained. The director then breaks the tension in a way that is satisfying and unexpected, only to dial it back and its impact be permanent.