Beatriz at Dinner

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: June 9, 2017

5.3	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 52 Ratings

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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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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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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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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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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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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geewahJan 7, 2021

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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