This film is a theatrical showcase for the very beautiful and talented Jacqueline Bisset we haven’t seen enough of recently. Russell Brown directs a well-structured, thoughtful script in what is basically a theatrical set piece of conversation over a delectable 4 course meal. Loren (Blatz) is an up-and-coming writer/director who has great respect for Rose (Bisset).
The two actors have stellar chemistry throughout their engaging discourse in a series of conversations over time covering a range of topics. But they always seem to focus on the challenges of filmmaking that get diverted to discussions about life, grief, and, of course, the challenges of their creative careers. This is basically talking heads, but it kept our attention.
The film opens with an auction of movie and personal objects, including the costume of a very popular character from a classic film. We learn that it’s from Rose’s best role where she played a particular Nun.This was considered her very best work and made her a legend. Her subsequent films never came close. After 3 films co-starring with an alligator, she became a punchline.
At the outset, Loren (Blatz) was asked to take a meeting with Rose he accepted, excited to meet her, but not necessarily for the purpose of casting her in his first feature film. Rose enchants him over a meal at her favorite cafe, guided her friend and cafe owner, Phil (Paul Sand). Sand practically steals the show. The chapters of the film are laid out over the years talking and dining at this restaurant together. She becomes his muse, writing his films with her in mind while Rose waits patiently to see if he’ll want to cast her in his projects.
Over many of these delicious meals, they develop a close bond of friendship, even though Rose is a more adventurous gourmet trying to get Loren, who prefers more bland food, to expand his palate. Their personalities reflect their very different tastes.
Writer/Director Brown shows Blatz tentative but sensitive. Bisset is still beautiful with that twinkle in her eye. The story leads to a pretty predictable and inevitable conclusion, but this menu with what Blatz and Bisset deliver, is creatively nourishing.
Amazon Prime/Wise Lars 1 hour 23 minutes NR
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