The Dish & the Spoon (2011) User Reviews

Disjointed

[Igenlode Wordsmith · 5/10 · 30 October 2011]

I wanted to like this picture (brave little independent film launches out into the big world at London Film Festival), and it has a striking opening sequence. Unfortunately, by the halfway point it started to feel laboured; by the end, fatally, the characters had become annoying rather than sympathetic, and the whole thing came across with an amateurish feeling.

It feels too long for its actual content: too many would-be-meaningful shots of driving, of landscape, of the camera looking at characters, of characters looking at each other, of 'oh-look-I-managed-to-catch-a-flock-of-birds-in-the-viewfinder' (this happens several times, and while it's a pretty composition and no doubt a challenging achievement, it doesn't really do anything for the film as a whole). And it needs a better script -- it sounded a lot of the time as if the characters were improvising their dialogue as they went along, and there is little coherent plot. The film manages to give the overall impression of someone's Film Studies degree project material expanded to feature length, not always successfully.

Perhaps the most frustrating scene is where the central pair, for no reason that ever becomes apparent, act out a scenario that involves the woman, dressed in man's clothing, performing a sexually aggressive pick-up on the young man, tricked out in make-up, a necklace and a padded bra -- like so much of the rest of the film, this scene doesn't go anywhere plot-wise, and I just got the impression that the director thought it would be a fun thing to get the actors to do. It's certainly confusing for the audience. (I was actually wondering at one point if we had been subjected to an artful piece of misdirection, and that the unfaithful spouse was actually being revealed as a partner in a lesbian relationship -- but apparently not.)

"The Dish and the Spoon" (again, why this title?) starts off with an interesting premise (and some jaw-dropping ranting on the part of Greta Gerwig), but gradually lost this viewer's engagement. This sort of free-flowing improvisational stuff really isn't in my line: your average B-movie would squeeze in six or seven times the plot and far more dialogue into two-thirds of the running time of this picture.

Apparently it's 'mumblecore', 'wacky', 'quirky'. It isn't me.

tldr: ending credits song is bomb, film itself isn't great

[kateellengagnon · 5/10 · 11 June 2022]

I watched this film bc the end credit song popped up on my Spotify and I love it sm :") unfortunately, I can't say the same for the film. It's not BAD, it just doesn't have enough happen to keep it interesting or for the performances themselves to carry the film w.o a stronger plot. Mainly there's just a lot of uncomfortability within it; Greta's character is so believable and unpleasant when she gets angry I genuinely just didn't want to watch, as well as her relationship with the Boy also felt more uncomfortable to watch than sweet, and I kind of just felt bad for him bc she was scary.

Anyways go listen to "The Whale" end credits song by Olly Alexander, u can thank me later ;)

sparing

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 19 August 2018]

Rose (Greta Gerwig) is outraged over her husband's affair with yoga teacher Emma. She picks up an English boy (Olly Alexander) in distress. He had come to America for a girl which ended in disappointment. The two have an uncomfortable time as they set to confront Emma.

I wonder how young exactly is the boy supposed to be. Olly is twenty and there is no reason why he wouldn't jump all over Gerwig which makes the early hesitation rather silly. All of it depends on his age in the movie and I may have missed that. Since he doesn't even have a name, it's not unrealistic that he has no age. There is a big emotional scene from Gerwig which surprised and shocked me. Then there is the ending which is unearned since the audience knows so little about the husband. We can't forgive him if we don't know him. It's a missed opportunity for the boy which is how I feel about this movie.

Long takes amid meaningless plot and annoying characters

[junkstuff-7 · 5 November 2011]

The entire movie feels much like the opening - a long drive through a tunnel with a woman crying. Occasionally an amusing or artsy shot is added but they are not enough to redeem this exercise in boredom.

What little plot there is centers around the weekend (maybe) escapades of a woman whose husband slept with another woman. She finds a young man sleeping in a lighthouse and develops a quirky relationship with him. There appears to be no reason for many of their actions, particularly a scene in which she makes him a transvestite. Little is learned about the couple or their motivations. In fact, the name of the man is never revealed. The movie is best characterized by long takes of the actors homely faces.

The few moments of artistic interest, such as when the man excellently draws her face in the sand, do add something. The moments are too fleeting, however, to suffer the 90 minutes of agitation and boredom that this movie instills.

Lovely, touching tiny film. Flawed, but far from fatally

[runamokprods · 7/10 · 1 January 2017]

As modern American tiny-budget indie rom-coms go, this is sweet and charming, managing to avoid falling into most of the mumble-core traps and cliche's. There's something more successfully wistful and sad than usual in this tale of two mismatched and very quirky young people stumbling into each other's lives.

When we meet 20 something Rose, she's literally wailing and crying as she drives her car – seemingly without aim – after discovering her husband has been having an affair. Before long she meets a young, sweetly quiet English boy in his late teens, who came to America to meet up with a girl, and has now been cast adrift by her (maybe – there's a lovely question mark over all this character's stories. While there are scenes that are too precious, and moments where it feels like the film-maker and actors are working a bit too hard and self-consciously at being charmingly weird – moments where you can almost see the actors/director think "this will be a cool choice" - there's also a lot of humanity and quiet emotion in the performances by Greta Gerwig and Olly Alexander – creating characters who both seem caught on the edge of real emotional trouble -and in the muted, touching images with which Alison Bagnall frames them.

Yes, maybe we cut to migrating birds one too many times, or we're ahead of the supposed twist of a scene now and then. But it's the moments of fragile human complexity that feel unusual in any American film-making these days, large or small, and which ultimately won this a place in my heart.

Interesting movie

[mdliegey · 6/10 · 22 May 2013]

I stumbled across this movie on Netflix, and watched it because a "Delaware beach town" was mentioned in a review. I lived for several years in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

As far as reviewing the film, I won't. I seldom follow any reviewer's recommendations as I find them to be totally useless. Nobody can tell me what I'll like or dislike; I must find that out for myself.

The biggest reason I am adding my 2 cents is that "an abandoned lighthouse" is mentioned in several places as the spot where the two characters meet.

In actuality, the "lighthouse" is a submarine lookout tower which was used in WWII. These towers dot the seashore along Delaware's east coast.

Anyway, I did enjoy the movie and will recommend it to friends, if only for the familiar scenery. I especially liked the brewery tour in the Dogfish Head brewery as I have sampled many of their beers in their bar/restaurant in Rehoboth.

A dish and a spoon, but nothing to put in it...

[paul_haakonsen · 4/10 · 21 October 2012]

This movie was perhaps just a little bit too 'artsy' for my liking. Initially, I was intrigued by what I had read about the movie, hence I decided to give it a go. And now having seen it, I can honestly say that this movie was not meant for me.

The story, or what resembles a story, is taking place around two core characters; Rose (played by Greta Gerwig) who is struggling to deal with her husbands affair with a woman named Emma, and a quirky British teenager (played by Olly Alexander), who is running away from something. The two find comfort in each others company and help each other to get to where they are going.

It is a story that is character driven and also fueled by the passion of the characters. We are introduced to two somewhat offbeat characters and given the chance to ride along with them on their journey, and that is perhaps the centerpiece of the movie; the essence of the movie, if you will.

As for the story, well it wasn't really all that interesting to me, and it took ages for the movie to get from A to B, and had surprisingly little to tell in the time that it took to get there.

The strong side of the movie was the acting. There was a lot riding on the performances of Greta Gerwig and Olly Alexander, as they were the only ones on the screen about 90% of the time. And I will say that they did a good job in portraying their characters.

Another strong side of the movie was the cinematography. The movie was really nicely shot and edited, and had some really great images in it, and a lot of shots that needed no dialogue or explaining.

I found my interest starting to drift to other things a couple of times throughout the movie, because it clearly wasn't meant for me as an audience. I am sure there is an audience out there for this particular type of movie, and I am sure those people will enjoy this type of movie as well.

Lovely film about the small moments in life

[returnofthewerewolves · 7/10 · 6 August 2015]

I think this was a lovely film. That's the best way to describe it. I've read a few reviews before I watched it (not to know what it was about, but just what other people thought of it and if it was worth it), but the differences in opinions made me curious and want to watch it for myself.

It's about two (quite lonely) characters who cross each others paths. Both with their own problems, thoughts and feelings they try to sort out while living their life.

I see a lot of reviews saying that the plot of the story (girl is angry cause her husband cheated on her - oh no what is she going to do) wasn't complex enough, and it made people feel like a lot of minutes were just filled up with meaningless shots. So many movies nowadays are about endings. They give you a premise and they give you an end, with a little bit of middle to support the choices that were made to come to that conclusion. I often hear about the 'plot', and can't sit through the middle of a movie without wanting to fast forward to see how it ends.

The Dish & The Spoon isn't just about the plot and how it ends. It's about the middle. It's about the characters who live their weird, kind of desperate lives while appreciating the small and lovely moments. I don't think every scene and every shot has to have an obvious meaning. Life doesn't have obvious meanings either. But there IS an opportunity to give meaning to it yourself. Just like you're able to do with moments in this movie. Was the bird-thing overused? Yes, they could've done it with one or two shots less. But that doesn't take away the freedom these characters seem to have in those moments.

Could the story have been more extensive? Yes. Could the camera- work, editing and script have been more smooth? Yes. But then it wouldn't feel as real as it does now.

The little things and details in this movie just made me feel a certain way. And the originality of not letting the two characters rush to certain plot points but letting them live on their own makes me appreciate The Dish & The Spoon, and want to just jump in that world with them for a while. Which I did, by watching this movie.

Promising movie, undone by the details.

[hthbrr2 · 1/10 · 19 July 2013]

Most of the time I give 1 star to a movie that was truly atrocious. I wish that I could give it zero or even a negative rating to bring down the overall score. But for once this movie actually earned that one star.

Spoilers after this.

There were some scenes that I found quite nice, which earns it the one star. But these scenes were so few and far between that I can't really give the movie a high score for that. It's like a salad where the only tasty bits are the most sparse.

In between the long, drawn out, pointless scenes, the movie holds promise. I understand it's about a woman suffering though her husband's infidelity. But we can see that from her scenes talking to the teen boy, from her yelling at her husband though the phone, from her hunting down and vowing to kill the other woman. Don't make us suffer!

Talk about bad pacing! The movie starts out with a long drawn out opening sequence. Right from the start I am already annoyed. And for the first part of the movie you are basically waiting for the movie to finally begin. But it never really does. She simply picks up a random drifter, sympathizes with him then spends, what, months with him? And what do they do exactly? So many unanswered questions. One scene she dresses him up as a girl and herself as a male. But why? Umm...yeah.

I liked the parts where they talk about their feelings of rejection, and acceptance. But again this is a very small part of the movie, very good, but brief. So if you have the patience to sit though pointless 'artsy' shots, you can watch the little this movie has going for it.

a smooth pebble if not a gem.

[ignominia-1 · 8/10 · 21 July 2012]

I enjoyed this movie, as it does not feel constructed in the way most movies are. It makes you feel the way you would feel if you were in Rose's shoes, overwhelmed by emotions and with no idea what you are going to do next. Enslaved by pain and bored by the lulls in between when she does not know what to do and acts without thinking. For me this movie feels totally realistic and true. Of course some scenes make no logical sense, but we are all a bit illogical especially when hurting. Still they are interesting to watch as other lives not our own seem more interesting sometimes. There are moments of profound truth and emotional release that are very impressively acted and filmed and make the movie totally worth watching. Don't expect a masterpiece, a precious gem, but a nice round pebble smoothed by the sea.

Sincere and Unhindered

[mclarkand · 8/10 · 22 January 2012]

Alison Bagnall brings her 2nd feature length film, The Dish & The Spoon, with shameless intimacy.

After discovering her husband has cheated on her, Rose (Greta Gerwig) goes on a beer-drinking rampage, pulling the young, mysterious vagabond (Olly Alexander) in on her plan for revenge against the bitch who put her in this position.

The two share an undeniable – often cute and occasionally awkward – on screen chemistry.

Their unique and intimate relationship develops in an interesting balance of sexual tension, bare emotions and twisted manipulation.

Bagnall sincerely seems to be an actor's director, where playfulness and experimentation is balanced with an emotional depth.

The film is sincere and reckless, letting the characters lead the narrative. Rose wants to scream, Rose will scream. Rose wants to cuddle, Rose will cuddle. Rose wants to steal, Rose will steal.

The characters really seem free to act how they want and feel in each moment rather than being pulled across a constructed story forcing them to go from point A to B. The characters do what they want, not what they're told. There is something about this movie that reflects real life and relationships in a way that is true and unhindered.

The Dish & The Spoon feels like a secret roller coaster ride that we get to experience with these two strangers as they grope for some sort of emotional connection and personal understanding over a few unlikely days.

It's a brave film that I'm glad I experienced and hope to see in theaters!

Touched those who've been hurt...

[spelaeologus · 10/10 · 25 April 2013]

This is one of the best independent films I've seen in a long time. Greta Gertwig shines with depth and lightness of being at all the crucial points in the story. I absolutely loved this film! Olly complemented her character and her needs so well that I couldn't help myself from hoping they'd run away together. To Alison's credit, she didn't let that happen, but that was, in my opinion, the second most powerful swing in the movie... and the most emotionally crushing moment. First place in moments where your heart-strings are plucked took place within the words, "I want ten of you..." Nearly took my breath away, and I can still feel tears welling up just thinking about it.

See this movie - and see it for the simple sadness that Ms. Bagnall conveys. Bring your tissues and have a companion there with you, you won't regret it.

Sweet without all the sugar

[llowry12 · 8/10 · 8 August 2013]

I don't know where to start. This is the film that Gus Van Sant always wanted to make when he was alive. Oh wait...he IS alive...sort of. A really excellent soundtrack....Cab Calaway?...really?...lol...the one camera shooting was very annoying..it's really not how we see things and very much really not what we expect in well made films...Olly Alexander is such an amazing talent...hope he stays true to his perceptions of art..this is one truly fun little film...loved seeing the ocean on the east coast rather than the obligatory northern pacific coast...there were some very well conveyed emotions to be seen and experienced...and the feeling of coming in out of the cold was nothing less than brilliant....thanks to the post prod team...excellent editing..

angel and actress

[zeitbauer · 10/10 · 24 January 2014]

How it is when an ordinary person -- ordinary as people really are... that is, our actions being limited to reacting, meets an extraordinary being, is sent an angel... and, what that person uses the angel for.

Really a very well done film and very beautiful to watch. The locations are filmed with such care that they look exotic, and what is meant to seem exotic is filmed in all its banality... the dress-ups, the forming of patterns to music... dancing... even the wonderful dialog on Thanksgiving... all things contained by society, in interiors, all stuck in front of a camera and meaning only what talk means to people who don't really talk for pleasure. Obviously, all this is a little bewildering to an angel, and I was constantly wondering if the angel, the boy, wouldn't do something out of the angelic. The director brilliantly never allows that to happen.

So, great casting -- everyone has their surprises in this, their little abilities, even if no one but the viewer expects a surprise from anyone at all.

Two hearts - same path

[cekadah · 10/10 · 16 August 2014]

If you like independent cinema (as I do) this is a must see movie!

The story is simple - two individuals experience the age old broken heart in life and they just happen to meet while sulking through their major disappointment. Together they both deal with their pain yet both go about this in their own way. Rose is angry and a bit aggressive in her seeking revenge and 'The boy' is happy to just be with Rose and experience a different path than the one he expected upon coming to the States from Britain to meet a girl.

Their brief union is full of self discovery, adventure, and a repressed desire for each other. The ending can be described as both happy and maybe a bit sad, and mysterious. The mystery is found in 'The boy' - was he real or just an imaginary friend created by Rose.

Director Alison Bagnall has made a dream like story from a script would have flopped in lessor hands.