BEATRIZ AT DINNER (2017) — Sleeper Awakened

7/8/17 - Beatriz at Dinner (2017) - 5+/6-/10

Effective in its aim and affective by its nature, Beatriz is an engaging meditation dealing with class and empathy for the new Trumpian age. Despite impregnating a sense of taught unease the film delivers a still birth. Impotent by heart and realistic to a fault. The film makers arrive at their desired destination, but arrest the journey our gut leads us to.

Hayek had a stellar performance. Bringing a pleading passion and a chutzpah of believability she captures the viewer. You are sucked into every sinew, smile, and tear. Her eyes are oceans of pain, love, fire, and lived-in existence. It was an award worthy journey and an authentic emotional deliberation upon her face.

This film is strong and weak, driven and lost, painful and compassionate, anchored and unfulfilling. It accomplishes its goal but the destination left me wanting, forever desiring the catharsis it so aches for.