My Dinner With Andre (1981) review

Notorious chat-fest didn't exactly impress me as a teenager - I wasn't 'bored,' but wrote in my notes that it should have been called Andre's Monologue - but worked for me on this second viewing: about a decade later I can better appreciate it as an intentional piece of filmed theater (which happens to be what both participants are primarily known for) and as a celebration of intelligent debate (and the joy of storytelling). Theater director Andre Gregory spends most of the time talking about his exotic experiences in experimental theater and travelling to different countries, experiencing new things (Tibet, the Findhorn community in Scotland, being buried alive for art) while New Yorker Wallace Shawn listens patiently and tells his buddy he's more than happy with his coffee and electric blanket. It's quite telling that, as a teenager, I was disgusted with the flighty, name-dropping Gregory and found kinship with Shawn - I wanted to hear more from down-to-earth Wally than his globetrotting, free-thinking cohort - but after a bit of living I now find myself more sympathetic with Gregory and his exciting life (since he picks up the cheque for the meal, he most likely isn't poor). Will I shift positions on a third viewing back to Shawn entirely, or will I be find myself on the side of the waiter, waiting for these ninnies to shut up so I can leave work?