The Dinner 2017
Directed by
Oren Moverman
Made by
Orchard, The
Plot Summary
On a cold winter evening in Dobbs Ferry, New York, history teacher Paul Lohman, portrayed by Steve Coogan, and his wife Claire (Laura Linney), are joined for an exclusive dinner by Paul’s older brother Stan, played by Richard Gere, a Congressman, along with his wife Katelyn (Rebecca Hall). The upscale restaurant has been reserved solely for the four of them.
While Stan faces mounting pressure as a frontrunner in the gubernatorial race—with the responsibility of pushing an essential mental health bill through the House—tension brews among the group. As the dinner unfolds, structured around the various courses of their meal, they delve into a harrowing incident involving their teenage sons: Michael (Charlie Plummer) and Rick ([Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick]), who brutally harassed a homeless woman at an ATM, tragically resulting in her death after Michael threw a lit match that ignited her sleeping bag. A third boy, Beau ([Miles J. Harvey]), Stan’s adopted son with his ex-wife Barbara ([Chloë Sevigny]), was present but fled before the attack occurred and witnessed the unprovoked violence.
As the evening progresses, family dysfunction and past grievances surface through interwoven flashbacks, particularly highlighting Stan’s efforts to support Paul as he grapples with his own deepening depression. The atmosphere grows fraught as they debate whether the boys should face the consequences of their actions or if they should simply cover up their misdeeds.
Paul’s mental state deteriorates further following the revelation that Michael uploaded footage of the woman’s tragic death online. The estrangement intensifies when Michael refuses to remove the video, causing a rift between him and Paul. It becomes even more complicated when Paul discovers that Claire is secretly collaborating with Michael to distribute hush money to anyone who might find out about the incident. As tensions escalate, Paul reacts violently after Stan offers to care for Michael while Claire is hospitalized, accidentally striking Stan with a saucepan in a moment of anger.
During dinner, Stan expresses his intention to withdraw from the gubernatorial race and plans to report the ATM incident, insisting on taking Michael to the police. This leads to a heated confrontation: Stan adamantly seeks justice for the crime, while Claire and Katelyn prioritize the family’s reputation and their children’s futures. Paul, remaining silent, observes the discord unfold. Katelyn succeeds in persuading Stan to defer his decision to inform the authorities, escalating the discomfort around the table.
In his emotional turmoil, Paul leaves the restaurant, fixated on finding Beau, struggling with the irrational thought that eliminating Beau might resolve their problems. A violent clash ensues as Paul threatens Beau with a rock. Ultimately, he faces off against an infuriated Stan, who is also frantically searching for Beau, joined by Katelyn and Claire. Just as Katelyn attempts to reach Beau on the phone, news arrives indicating that the votes for the mental health bill are secured. The film concludes abruptly as Paul collapses in the snow, uttering a poignant, haunting plea: >“Mental health for everyone!” as his family gathers around him.
Timeline
Dinner Invitation
On a cold winter evening in Dobbs Ferry, New York, history teacher Paul Lohman and his wife Claire prepare for a private dinner. They are joined by Paul's older brother Stan, a Congressman, and his wife Katelyn at an upscale restaurant reserved solely for the four of them.
Political Pressure
During the dinner, Stan faces intense pressure as a frontrunner in the gubernatorial race. His responsibility to push through a crucial mental health bill adds tension to the already charged atmosphere of the gathering.
The Incident Revealed
As the dinner progresses, the group discusses a harrowing incident involving their teenage sons, Michael and Rick, who played a part in the death of a homeless woman. This conversation reveals the shocking details of how Michael threw a lit match at her sleeping bag, igniting a tragic series of events.
Beau's Role
The boys were not alone during the incident; Stan's adopted son Beau was present but fled before violence erupted. His presence lends an added layer of complexity as the group grapples with guilt and accountability for their children's actions.
Rising Tensions
Throughout the dinner, past grievances and family dysfunction come to light, with Stan trying to support Paul, who is facing deepening depression. The strained relationships create an uncomfortable environment as they navigate the implications of their sons' actions.
The Video Revelation
The situation worsens when Paul learns that Michael posted footage of the homeless woman’s tragic death online. This decision fuels an already mounting rift between Paul and Michael, exacerbating tensions within the family.
Claire's Betrayal
Paul discovers that Claire is secretly working with Michael to provide hush money to prevent the incident from coming to light. This betrayal drives a wedge between Paul and Claire, complicating their already troubled marriage.
An Explosive Confrontation
Tensions reach a boiling point when Stan offers to take care of Michael while Claire is hospitalized. In a moment of fury, Paul accidentally strikes Stan with a saucepan, showcasing the fragile state of their relationships.
Justice vs. Reputation Debate
The group erupts in a heated discussion regarding how to handle the incident. Stan insists on reporting the crime, while Claire and Katelyn worry more about their family’s reputation, highlighting the stark contrast in their values.
Paul’s Desperation
Overwhelmed with emotional turmoil, Paul abruptly leaves the restaurant to find Beau. He becomes consumed with the irrational thought that eliminating Beau could solve their family's issues, showcasing his deteriorating mental state.
Tension Breaks
Paul’s search for Beau culminates in a violent encounter where he threatens him with a rock. This confrontation signifies the culmination of the evening's tensions and the lengths to which Paul feels he must go.
Family Fractures
Amidst the chaos, Stan and Katelyn join Paul, seeking Beau while grappling with their own concerns about the impending fallout from the incident. The familial bonds strain under the weight of guilt and pressure, illustrating the complexities of their relationships.
Turning Point
Katelyn's efforts to contact Beau coincide with the news that votes for Stan's mental health bill are secured. This moment reveals the juxtaposition between professional success and personal failures, intensifying the sense of impending doom.
Paul's Collapse
The film reaches its climax when Paul collapses in the snow while grappling with emotional anguish. His haunting plea for 'Mental health for everyone!' encapsulates the film's themes, as his family gathers around him in a moment of realization and despair.
Characters
Paul Lohman
Paul is a history teacher grappling with deep depression and anger as he faces his family's moral dilemmas. His emotional turmoil intensifies throughout the dinner, leading him to confront both his own limitations and the actions of his son.
Stan
Stan is a Congressman under pressure as he runs for governor, striving to balance his public responsibilities with familial loyalty. His determination to seek justice for the homeless woman's death clashes with his family's desire to protect their image.
Claire
Claire is Paul's wife, embodying conflict as she navigates her husband's mental health struggles and the scandal involving their son. Her secret collaboration with Michael to manage the fallout showcases her pragmatic but morally ambiguous choices.
Setting
Time period
Winter
The movie takes place during a cold winter evening, a time that often signifies reflection and introspection. This setting mirrors the internal struggles of the characters as they confront their past and the consequences of their actions.
Location
Dobbs Ferry, New York, upscale restaurant
Dobbs Ferry is a picturesque village located along the Hudson River in New York, known for its charming architecture and local history. The upscale restaurant serves as the backdrop for the film, representing a private space where family tensions can unfold away from the outside world.
Themes
⚖️
Justice
The theme of justice emerges as the characters grapple with the moral implications of their sons' actions. While Stan seeks to take accountability for the crime, Claire and Katelyn prioritize their family's reputation, showcasing the tensions between personal ethics and societal expectations.
💔
Family Dysfunction
Family dysfunction is central to the narrative as hidden grievances and past traumas surface during the dinner. The relationships are strained, revealing the complexities of familial loyalty and the challenges of navigating love, anger, and betrayal.
🌀
Mental Health
Mental health is a recurring theme, particularly through Paul’s struggle with depression and the broader societal issues addressed in the context of the film. The call for 'mental health for everyone' at the end highlights the urgent need for awareness and support.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.