Beatriz at dinner
Hey guy, another week has passed, so, that only means……..I’m posting another review. This week’s movie, I think, is “Beatriz at dinner” another one that many have missed which is a shame cause it’s honestly a gem. Here’s the trailer:
So, as you can guess from the trailer, Beatriz (Salma Hayek) is a massage therapist and a healer whose car breaks down when tending to her client Cathy (Connie Britton) at her seaside mansion. While waiting for a tow car, Cathy invites her to stay for her husband’s friendly business dinner. However, soon enough a war of wits and morality start up between her and one of the guests (John Lithgow).
Beatriz has a calm and collected demeanor, which factors in her career success. because she’s, like she puts it, “in harmony with the universe”. Every heartbeat, every breeze, every sunbeam… all is significant and cherished. She’s a woman of spirituality who is less concerned with the material world, with the frivolous pleasures of the current century. And I would like to point out to their use of earthly tones (golden and brown) and warm lightings to showcase her modesty and simplicity. Consequently, anyone who cannot elevate to her level and go beyond their earthly minds, cannot connect with her and thus scorn and marginalize her.
Beatriz represents anyone who witness corruption, cruelty and oppression but feels frustrated for having someone unmoral holding power over them. Because then she’s unable to correct the wrong. However, despite her serene and cool impression, she’s strong and grounded. She will tell her piece even if you cut her off and brush her off a thousand times, she will speak of her believes despite it being the unpopular opinion. She is the symbol of rebellion against the current political climate and she’s not to be intimidated by a big real estate shark. And I LOVE HER for that, I wish I can have a conversation with her because she’s the kind of person who will cleanse your soul from the filth, that is the current social and political context, by merely being around her.
In hindsight, the plot only starts to unravel when Beatriz and Strutt engage in a heated exchange (No spoilers! Don’t worry) about subjects we hear so often on the news but no one dares to strip it bare. Strutt represents the, all so true, merciless and vile ego centric industrialist who has no respect to humanity or morality. He shamelessly parades and raves about his accomplishments without care about the repercussions. The writer did a tremendous job on mocking those unsaid and ugly truths.
Furthermore, as the movie progresses (and while she consumes more wine), we feel as if a dark cloud is forming over Beatriz demeanor. Which is why we can only speculate on what the ending meant: some would argue that, it means she is embracing those dark thoughts and negativity; others like myself think that considering who she is, it represents a release of all the negative energy and frustrations that had been building up inside of her all evening. In fact, the filmmakers deliberately chose such unusual ending to engage the viewers in the story and to have them decide the ending that suits their own perception of the events that has transpired.
To sum up, I loved this film because it’s truthful, funny, intense at times and inquire you to think and be compassionate, also, the cinematography was stunning and harmonious to Beatriz’s character.
In conclusion, my rating is 4.5/5
My recommendations are: My dinner with André (4/5); The invitation (3.5/5); Mudbound (5/5); Detroit (5/5); About alex (4/5); Endless poetry (4.5/5); The Lobster (5/5); Wings of desire (5/5).
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