Critic's Notebook

Eating Disorder

The Orchard

MOVIE REVIEW
The Dinner (2017)

By M. TSAI

The third film adaptation of Herman Koch's eponymous novel (following Menno Meyjes's 2013 "Het Diner" and Ivano De Matteo's 2014 "I nostri ragazzi"), Oren Moverman's "The Dinner" indeed plays out like a European art thriller — perhaps one by Thomas Vinterberg (despite that he's Danish and Mr. Koch is Dutch).

Estranged Bedfellows

Robb Rosenfeld/A24

MOVIE REVIEW
The Lovers (2017)

By M. TSAI

In "The Lovers," Debra Winger and Tracy Letts play wife and husband on the brink of divorce, keeping up appearances for the sake of a visit from their son and his girlfriend. Suffering symptoms of midlife crises and ennui, Mary (Ms. Winger) and Michael (Mr. Letts) absent-mindedly drift through their workaday obligations just so they can make excuses to each other to spend time with and pacify their respective long-suffering, ultimatum-giving paramours. As the extramarital affairs grow increasingly tedious, Mary and Michael inexplicably rekindle their passion for each other — which their son, Joel (Tyler Ross), interprets as a façade presaging the marriage's inevitable dissolution.

Brexit Stage Left

Phil Fisk/IFC Films

MOVIE REVIEW
The Trip to Spain (2017)

By M. TSAI

The third installment of the Steve Coogan-Rob Brydon-Michael Winterbottom BBC Two/Sky Atlantic six-part sitcom and companion abridged big-screen version, “The Trip to Spain” reunites the comedians and filmmaker for more culinary samplings, showbiz inside baseball, celebrity impersonations and narcissistic midlife crises. Their journey encompasses Getaria, Sos del Rey Catolico, Cuenca, La Mancha, Granada and Malaga in the titular country, this time with extra braggadocio from Mr. Coogan boasting his Oscar nod for “Philomena” and extra envy from Mr. Brydon toward James Corden’s newfound success as a talk-show host in America.

Requiem pour un fou

Jean-Claude Lother/Pathé

MOVIE REVIEW
Rock'n Roll (2017)

By M. TSAI

Guillaume Canet directs, co-writes and stars in "Rock'n Roll," a navel-gazing musical satire on the French film industry that centers on him and real-life partner, Marion Cotillard.

After a much-younger costar (Camille Rowe) breaks the news to him that he's no longer a cinematic sex symbol, the plot thrusts Guillaume (Mr. Canet) into full midlife crisis, partying and carousing until embarrassing cell phone footage of his debauchery ends up on YouTube and shooting up Botox to a point that jeopardizes the continuity of his new film. He's still able to line up directorial projects thanks to his Oscar-winning girlfriend, Marion (Ms. Cotillard), but she's preoccupied with mastering a Quebecois accent (and doing Céline Dion tributes) in preparation for an upcoming film role.