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3

GerNMar 9, 2018

This is NOT a comedy; it has almost no humor. Hayek is downtrodden, depressed and devastated throughout. Lithgow is amoral, pompous and boasting. Neither is interesting or entertaining. There is no ethical question; she is correct and heThis is NOT a comedy; it has almost no humor. Hayek is downtrodden, depressed and devastated throughout. Lithgow is amoral, pompous and boasting. Neither is interesting or entertaining. There is no ethical question; she is correct and he is evil. Although I completely agree with Hayek's character, it was a struggle to get through this film. And then the end was terrible, almost a flip-off for watching the whole thing. The worst film for both stars.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

Brent_MarchantJun 23, 2017

At times brilliant, at times frustrating, this dark, sociopolitical satire gives viewers much to ponder both practically and metaphysically, a rare fusion for a film these days. It also manages to maintain a fair amount of suspense at anAt times brilliant, at times frustrating, this dark, sociopolitical satire gives viewers much to ponder both practically and metaphysically, a rare fusion for a film these days. It also manages to maintain a fair amount of suspense at an event -- a dinner party -- that would seem an unlikely setting for such a narrative quality. Salma Hayek gives one of the year's best performances thus far, more than adequately backed by a superb ensemble of supporting players. Admittedly, it's a little disappointing that the film draws upon a plot device that's been used before to wrap things up, even if it's employed in a way not seen before. But, this disappointment aside, "Beatriz at Dinner" gives us much to think about at a critical juncture in our country's -- and our reality's -- history.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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7

markthecriticJul 4, 2017

Tasteful and subtle, and the tension between Salma Hayak and the party hosts is riveting. I wish the movie ended differently. Even with the ending, the time and money spent on this movie was well spent.

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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7

GinaKJun 26, 2017

A very interesting and very emotional movie with wonderful performances by Selma Hayek and John Lithgow in a strong cast. The ending surprised me, and led to much discussion afterwards. How do you face a society in which the men in power andA very interesting and very emotional movie with wonderful performances by Selma Hayek and John Lithgow in a strong cast. The ending surprised me, and led to much discussion afterwards. How do you face a society in which the men in power and their fawning wives are rich, callous, and self-centered, leaving you no hope of a better future? Beatriz makes her choice. Is it the right one?… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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8

rebaNov 7, 2017

I wish the ending had been different, but for me there was hope that Beatriz' warning to Strutt's gang will come true and they will learn: It WILL touch you, she said with conviction. The damage they are doing, the revolutionary backlash, theI wish the ending had been different, but for me there was hope that Beatriz' warning to Strutt's gang will come true and they will learn: It WILL touch you, she said with conviction. The damage they are doing, the revolutionary backlash, the dying of the planet will affect you 1% eventually too. And I think the candles they sent obliviously out hinted at one of the immediate ways they would be touched. Some people feel others' pain too much to last long, and Salma shows this in her face very well.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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1

BHBarryJun 10, 2017

“Beatriz at Dinner” stars Salma Hayek and John Lithgow in this story of a poor Mexican immigrant and health care provider who, by circumstance, becomes a dinner guest at a party given by one of her clients where she has a confrontation with a“Beatriz at Dinner” stars Salma Hayek and John Lithgow in this story of a poor Mexican immigrant and health care provider who, by circumstance, becomes a dinner guest at a party given by one of her clients where she has a confrontation with a multi billionaire played by Mr. Lithgow. When I first read the rave review in the LA Times, it seemed like this was a must-see film so I dutifully went on its opening day to view it. What a mistake. The writing and directing of this film leaves much to be desired with a plot that makes no sense and a character study that is both unrealistic and improbable. For the most part the fault is in the writing by Mike White for he portrays Ms. Hayek’s character with so many faces and traits that is difficult to believe that anyone like this could exist. The film is uncomfortable to watch for there is no sense of reality or credibility and what could have been an interesting class conflict film becomes an absurd viewing experience. I give the film a 1 rating with a warning to the prospective viewer to RSVP that he or she cannot attend this particular dinner party.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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10

pdw123Jul 19, 2017

This is an incredible independent film so no reason for the "trolls" on here trying to slam it probably just because of its perceived politics which are debatable, but that's what a great film does--makes you talk about it afterwards.This is an incredible independent film so no reason for the "trolls" on here trying to slam it probably just because of its perceived politics which are debatable, but that's what a great film does--makes you talk about it afterwards. Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, proof that you can edit a film that short and still it just works--the plot, acting, dialogue, everything--even the cinematography and dream sequences she has are beautiful. And, supporting cast is also brilliant. There are very few mainstream/lamestream studio films that I could say that about these days!… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

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6

swingJun 12, 2017

A bit disappointed in this short film. It was engaging at the beginning, but faded at the end. Also, all of the characters were caricatures. There was no real character development except for maybe Selma. It was a greedy hedonisticA bit disappointed in this short film. It was engaging at the beginning, but faded at the end. Also, all of the characters were caricatures. There was no real character development except for maybe Selma. It was a greedy hedonistic selfish business tycoon who could care less about the environment or animals on earth vs. the humanitarian.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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7

StevieGJDJun 18, 2017

John Lithgow's character in "Beatriz at Dinner" is not Donald Trump. The screenwriter says it is based on the dentist who got caught killing a Lion a few years ago on Safari and braggingly posting it on social media. Lithgow's Doug Strutt isJohn Lithgow's character in "Beatriz at Dinner" is not Donald Trump. The screenwriter says it is based on the dentist who got caught killing a Lion a few years ago on Safari and braggingly posting it on social media. Lithgow's Doug Strutt is not only about the pursuit of wealth; he is also about doing it at any cost, killing and displacing people, rampantly destroying the environment, committing crimes willy nilly; and he also a hedonist who loves to go hunt and kill big game. The only things Trump about him are that he is rich and he owns, among other things, real estate. It is truly only the most superfluous view of Strutt that makes him Trump. The screenwriter, in an interview, said that he is not nearly as bad as Trump and was based on the aforementioned dentist. I'm not sure. Strutt, absent the moral qualms one should have with his worldview, is a charming dinner guest, quite unlike Beatriz. Selma Hayek bravely takes on a complicated character; she has no makeup, wears the frumpiest of clothes and has atrocious bangs. Its hard to make Selma Hayek look frumpy; she does here. Her character also either doesn't understand or doesn't care about social norms or normal conversational cues. I have known plenty of bright, motivated, committed and annoying people like her. She says exactly what she thinks, even though it is incredibly rude and has no hope of changing the minds of the other guests; she needs to be heard. The fact that she earnestly believes in what she is saying does not detract from the cringes one has when she unleashes. The movie is short and clearly makes its main points. But the end is rather dark. That some people don't understand what happens or who Beatriz is, is quite frankly dumbfounding. It is clear what happens and it is clear who she is. She is an alternative medicine, spiritual healing, masseuse, who has a strong sense of her personal dogma. She is not formally educated, but "learned" in the ways of chi and aura, and other such things. I literally have met so many people like her. You just don't see them at this party of a group of Southern Orange County, money hungry, robber barons. She does not belong there. And that disconnect is where the uncomfortable cringes and dark humor reside. THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. If you loved Get Out, you will probably like this; it operates in a similar social satire dark comedy place. But Beatriz is not particularly about the Latina experience in America in the way Get Out is about the black experience in America. But this is rife with social satire. The only thing I'd say this has to do with Trump is, if you voted for Trump you probably will hate this movie.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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1

soshaJun 25, 2017

I just saw this movie and quite honestly, I was shocked and relieved at the same time. I was shocked because I couldn’t imagine how this movie got the financing it needed to get shoot; and relieved because now I have an idea about what isI just saw this movie and quite honestly, I was shocked and relieved at the same time. I was shocked because I couldn’t imagine how this movie got the financing it needed to get shoot; and relieved because now I have an idea about what is presented to our societies. Separate from the standard blockbuster movies we usually see at the theaters, I have been noticing a new trend of films.

By the way, I am not going to write about what the movie is about, since, I assume, if you are already here reading, you might have an idea about this film. So this movie opposing good against bad, poor against rich, environmentalists against huge corporations, animal lovers against animal killers has a consequential effect upon our views and understandings of our societies. I have wasted my time watching this film. It presented us with a usual introduction to a person / problem. It stayed with the person / problem, Beatriz, here portrayed by Salma Hayek, for one hour twenty minutes, establishing her background, her personality, her point of views and especially her attitude towards rich, arrogant, selfish businessman like the character Doug. And then, abruptly, the main character, Beatriz, commits suicide. Really??????? Really????? You just wasted an hour (and more) of my life to come to the conclusion of ‘the bad guy wins’??!!!!! Really???? So to get back to my intro, I have been noticing a new trend of films, which play on the emotions of the spectator all along, from the beginning till the end; and at the last minute of the film, shakes up things towards the opposite of what we were feeling. Through the whole movie we sympathized with Beatriz, we thought she would change the world, up to the point where she commits suicide. REALLY????? Why sympathize with her if the big corporations will crush her? Why waste so much time on her personality if she won’t be able to change anything?? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, why did she feel so hopeless? Many care givers are satisfied by the little amount of care they award to the needed. If her cause was that dear to her, why didn’t she stick around to defend it? Why someone who believes in Jesus and Buddha have so much hatred in themselves and towards others? Why, a person like Doug, influence her when he told her “everyone is dying, animals, humans…”, so she commits suicide at the end? I don’t know why. I tried to answer my own questions. I felt stupid trying to answer questions from a stupid movie…

Such a shame!!!!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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1

StarNina111Dec 10, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Absolute bummer of a movie. Not at all what I thought it was going to be like. I actually got angry at the end. I wanted to root for Salma's character because of the obvious racism and elitism of the other characters but she made it hard to defend her. She ended up making a case for why you can't mix 'the help' with your other guests and that makes me very disappointed in this movie.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

TVJerryJun 27, 2017

Salma Hayek stars as a healer with New Age tendencies. On the opposite side, John Lithgow plays a successful, highly arrogant real estate developer. When they end up at the same upscale dinner party, the conflict between their values resultsSalma Hayek stars as a healer with New Age tendencies. On the opposite side, John Lithgow plays a successful, highly arrogant real estate developer. When they end up at the same upscale dinner party, the conflict between their values results in awkward confrontations. The story starts with this intriguing premise, but the dismissive attitudes of the rich folks and Beatriz's tiresome sincerity fill the arguments with too much message. All the performances are enjoyable and the interactions are well played, but instead of an inspiring idealist, Hayek's character becomes an annoying bummer. Some call this a sharp political satire, but it's not even mildly funny. I started out liking it, but by the end, I hated it.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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6

GreatMartinJun 16, 2017

Donald Trump doesn't star in "Beatriz At Dinner" though in every way, except physically, John Lithgrow is him with the name Doug Strutt. Strutt is a billionaire owner of luxury hotels, and golf courses, around the world among other buildings,Donald Trump doesn't star in "Beatriz At Dinner" though in every way, except physically, John Lithgrow is him with the name Doug Strutt. Strutt is a billionaire owner of luxury hotels, and golf courses, around the world among other buildings, who will ask Beatriz (Salma Hayek), after mistaking her for 'help' to get him a drink, who is corrected and proceeds to ask Beatriz if she is in this country legally.

Strutt cares for no one, including his third wife, besides himself and he does anything to get rid of people or things that get in his way. He cares nothing for the environment or society unless it benefits him. He is the 1% of society who is the dinner guest of honor, with his wife Jeana (Amy Landecker), at the home of business partner Grant (David Warshofsky) and Cathy (Connie Britton) which also includes their young new lawyer Alex (Jay Duplass) and his wife Shannon (Chloe Sevigny).

Beatriz is a masseuse and healer working mainly for a cancer clinic and has private clients such as Cathy who the former cared for the latter's daughter when, as a teenager, had cancer. Cathy looks upon Beatriz as a friend and when she is getting ready to leave only to find that he car won't start and she has to call a friend for help who won't be able to arrive for awhile it is only natural that Cathy asks her to join the dinner party and Beatriz accepts. Beatriz lives alone with her 2 dogs and a goat who she is very protective of including keeping the goat in a pen in her bedroom who she is afraid her neighbor might kill. She is, I believe divorced and may have a daughter who died.

It isn't long before Beatriz and Doug butt heads especially after he shows a picture of his having killed a rhinoceros in Africa and boasting about it.

"Beatriz At Dinner" is a short movie, only 83 minutes, but in this case should have been longer. Did Beatriz have a daughter and is the telephone call to her? What does the white squid have to do with anything? It is the scenes between Hayek and Lithgow, and they are excellent, that hold the audience's attention but there are too few of them. And what is the meaning of the ending? Where and why do the other dinner guests fit in to all of this and why not a scene, even a short one, between Beatriz and the two household helpers?

"Beatriz At Dinner" is an interesting film with rich performances by Salma Hayek and John Lithgow but doesn't go far enough into what could be a meaningful film!… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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0

evonne2017Jun 25, 2017

How this is labeled a comedy or a movie I cannot understand. I went with a friend without researching the movie and I was very disappointed I spent a time watching a one side lecture from Al Gore. For me this movie was not informative,How this is labeled a comedy or a movie I cannot understand. I went with a friend without researching the movie and I was very disappointed I spent a time watching a one side lecture from Al Gore. For me this movie was not informative, entertaining, or the least bit interesting. When I go to a movie I went a story with characters, This is movie spent lecture from the left and watching Selma facial expressions, which I tried of with 2 sec of the so called movie. It was a waste of a evening… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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4

SuzanSep 21, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. At first, the expectations for this movie were very high. Beatriz At Dinner was supposed to portray a character, who is relatable(maybe a bit stereotypical) but likeable. A Mexican woman, who values hard work. The movie tries so hard to deal with the perspectives of a wealthy white fellow, and a Mexican woman. Both, who ultimately make very good arguments. Just the portrayal of Beatriz was very disappointing. Hayek, wonderfully fulfills the character. The acting is amazing and so is the concept. However, Beatriz at one point becomes frustrating. Once she dwells into her whole ideology of the world is dying and what not. The audience can't help but nod in confusion and stare at Beatriz like the rest of the dinner guests. The only reason I consider this movie less than a five is due to the fact, that Beatriz was ultimately a representation of Mexican individuals. In the film, Beatriz was supposed to represent latino individuals as people, who have an educated or at the very least rational opinion. In this case, it became a bit political. Maybe it was the way it was written? Maybe the writer wanted Beatriz to seem audacious. What was ultimately perceived, in my opinion, was the fact that, Beatriz was rude and outright inconsiderate. Her opinion was her opinion, but Beatriz should have considered more to the situation. It was a business dinner. In all, the concept had potential. Next time though, give the lead role to the other latino lady or maid portrayed, in the film. Without the intention of being rude, I believe the character Beatriz never had a chance to begin with. Her approach was bad since the start. At the end, her understanding and reaction isn't much of a surprise.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

KenRAug 12, 2018

I did not expect this movie to be so absorbing or to take on such a compelling subject. Salma Hayek has delivered some emotive performances but maybe nothing quite as personally intense as she gives here. No movie can please everyone and thisI did not expect this movie to be so absorbing or to take on such a compelling subject. Salma Hayek has delivered some emotive performances but maybe nothing quite as personally intense as she gives here. No movie can please everyone and this one won’t change that but, for the sensitive viewer, it certainly should offer quite a bit to contemplate. Mike White’s script effectively studies the differences between those who have much (like, way more than they need) and those who care dearly for what little they have. Performances are uniformly good but some have tried to draw comparisons between Trump, and the character of the high-profile building developer played by John Lithgow but, any number of ultra-rich opportunists fit this image, including the Clinton's and Obama's of this world – so I can’t buy that interpretation whatever.

Miguel Arteta’s direction keeps these observations on track while the strikingly stylish imagery delivered by director of photography Wyatt Garfield, is nothing short of poetic (no cheap handheld shots to spoil this potent character study) Lovely descriptive music, scored by Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh (mixed with other compositions) adds just the right touch for this thoughtful examination of a group of self-obsessed business people - meeting for dinner & playing the ‘relationship’ game (spelt big $) along with an outsider who wears her heart on her sleeve, and calls these deals out for what she feels they are. The ending is somewhat ambiguous and I felt the story deserved a little better - did the writer not have the courage to take on today's business ethics or is this just another example of the now trendy --woman on the verge theme-- currently popular with movie makers? Some aspects of this story brought to mind another compelling ‘dinner’ film: “Wetherby” from ’85, written by David Hare. Beatriz’ is well worth watching and even deserves to be revisited. Some language here and there.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

mrafrotastic00Jun 2, 2018

Beatriz at Dinner: Salma Hayek and the cast are stuck with a script that is filled with cynicism. Starring: Salma Hayek. John Lithgow. Connie Britton. Directed by Miguel Arteta. By Blake Patterson. 50/100. Mike White and Miguel ArtetaBeatriz at Dinner: Salma Hayek and the cast are stuck with a script that is filled with cynicism. Starring: Salma Hayek. John Lithgow. Connie Britton. Directed by Miguel Arteta. By Blake Patterson. 50/100. Mike White and Miguel Arteta came back to create another movie after their pessimistic film from 2002, "The Good Girl." "Beatriz at Dinner" focuses on a humane practitioner, Salma Hayek is the only compassionate person in this film, that attends a prosperous party after her car breaks down. The gifted John Lithgow, an admirable performance, portrays Doug Strutt, a wealthy, acrimonious businessman, that Beatriz is provoked by. Viewers expect a grand argument from the two about political subjects, but timidity overcomes the screenwriter, Mike White. The worst part about "Beatriz at Dinner" is that it conveys the affluent characters so pessimistically to the point that barely anyone would care or even find them interesting. I will admit that the ensemble attempts to make the motion picture appealing. After watching the gloomy conclusion, I feel the same way about "Beatriz at Dinner" as I did with "Brad's Status" and "The Good Girl." This film lacks humanity, and White should research human comedies by seeing films from Alexander Payne, Woody Allen, etc. If you want to watch a fantastic masterpiece that expresses benevolence, observe "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri," the best film from 2017.… Expand

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6

DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a film about the haves and have nots, feeling out of place socially perhaps and while it's rather mundane seeming to start with, indeed, for the most part, the end I felt had quite a strong and powerful feeling to it. I thought both Salma Hayek and John Lithgow gave decent performances and I'd say its certainly somewhat thought-provoking - more in terms of being a piece of social commentary than anything else. It's not necessarily the most entertaining film around and the comedy is very much dark/black - this isn't a film to watch if you want easy, obvious laughs. I'm not sure I'd say its funny as such at all necessarily - its more a sobering, somewhat thoughtful watch. On the downside, it is perhaps a little predictable but I still felt that it was worth seeing nevertheless. I would cautiously recommend this film, yes.… Expand

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5

geewahJan 7, 2021

Overrated, cliched social commentary that seems too long even with a running time of 82 minutes.

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