“My Dinner with Andre” is a 1981 American comedy-drama film directed by Louis Malle. The film is unique because it is mainly a conversation between two friends, André Gregory and Wallace Shawn, who play fictional versions of themselves. The story takes place in a fancy restaurant in Manhattan, New York, where the two characters discuss topics like theater, life, and spirituality.
The movie follows Wally, a struggling playwright, who is nervous about having dinner with his old friend Andre. Andre had left his theater career in 1975 and went on a spiritual journey, exploring different experiences like eastern spirituality and near-death experiences. During their dinner, Andre shares his adventures, including working in Poland, trying to create a play in the Sahara Desert, and visiting a community in Scotland. Andre believes these experiences helped him understand what it means to be human. Wally, however, finds joy in simpler things like a cup of coffee. They have a long discussion, and while they don’t agree on everything, they part on good terms.
Where Was “My Dinner with Andre” Filmed?
Although the story is set in New York, most of the filming for “My Dinner with Andre” was done in Richmond, Virginia. The movie was shot in December 1980 at the then-vacant Jefferson Hotel. The hotel was designed to look like the Café des Artistes, a famous restaurant in New York City where the story is set. The filming lasted for two weeks, and due to budget restrictions, a non-union crew was used, which is why the shooting took place in Richmond instead of New York.
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, was chosen as the primary filming location due to budget constraints. At the time of filming, the hotel was vacant, making it an ideal spot for the crew to set up and film the entire movie. The hotel has since been restored and reopened as a luxury venue, but during the filming, it was transformed to look like the Café des Artistes in New York. The set design was done so carefully that it perfectly captured the feel of the real New York restaurant.
The Café des Artistes in New York
In the story, the characters have their dinner at the Café des Artistes, a romantic but pricey restaurant located in the Hotel des Artistes at 1 West 67th Street, Central Park West, New York. The Café des Artistes was a famous spot, and many well-known personalities like Isadora Duncan and Noël Coward once lived in the hotel. Although the movie was not filmed here, the restaurant has a special place in the film’s story.
“My Dinner with Andre” may seem simple, but it is a deeply fascinating movie, with most of the film being an extended conversation between the two characters. While the movie was shot in Richmond, Virginia, the story and its setting remain closely tied to New York. If you ever want to relive the experience, you can visit The Leopard at des Artistes, the current name of the restaurant where the fictional dinner took place. However, be prepared, as it is quite an expensive place to dine.
The movie’s unique filming location in Richmond, Virginia, and the detailed set design make it a special piece of cinema, blending real-life locations with the fictional world of André and Wally’s dinner conversation.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – My Dinner with Andre
Q: Where was “My Dinner with Andre” filmed?
A: “My Dinner with Andre” was primarily filmed at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Although the story is set in a New York restaurant, budget constraints led the filmmakers to choose Richmond as the filming location.
Q: When was “My Dinner with Andre” filmed?
A; The filming of “My Dinner with Andre” took place in December 1980. The entire shoot lasted for about two weeks.
Q: When was “My Dinner with Andre” released?
A: “My Dinner with Andre” was released on October 11, 1981. It was well-received for its unique dialogue-driven approach and became a classic in American cinema.
Q: Who are the main cast members of “My Dinner with Andre”?
A: The main cast of “My Dinner with Andre” includes André Gregory, who plays a fictionalized version of himself, and Wallace Shawn, who also plays a fictionalized version of himself. They are the only two characters featured prominently in the film.
Q: What is the setting of “My Dinner with Andre”?
A: Although the film was shot in Richmond, Virginia, the story is set in Café des Artistes, a famous restaurant in Manhattan, New York. The filmmakers recreated the restaurant’s ambiance in the Jefferson Hotel to match the New York setting.
