My Dinner with Andre – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

My Dinner with Andre

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1981

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two guys talk at a restaurant for 110 minutes. That's it. That's the movie. Critically beloved, but let's be real about watchability.

93%

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My Dinner with Andre

movie

PG, 1981

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Two guys talk at a restaurant for 110 minutes. That's it. That's the movie. Critically beloved, but let's be real about watchability.

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's cut through the noise: My Dinner with Andre is a critically acclaimed masterpiece of experimental cinema that almost no one actually wants to watch.

The individual WISE scores are solid—it's safe, wholesome, intellectually enriching, and formally imaginative. But here's the truth: it's 110 minutes of two guys talking at a restaurant in 1981. No plot. No action. Just conversation. Even people who love 'thoughtful cinema' often struggle to stay engaged.

For a very specific audience—film students, philosophy majors, people who genuinely enjoy meditative, dialogue-heavy art films—this is rewarding. For everyone else, including virtually all kids and most adults, this is a slog.

The high critical scores are real and deserved for what the film accomplishes artistically. But a recommendation system needs to be honest: you're probably not going to watch this, your kids definitely won't, and that's completely fine.

Age Fit

This is fundamentally an adult art film. While Common Sense says 11+, that's only because there's nothing objectionable—not because any 11-year-old would actually watch it. Realistically, this is for adults (25+) with specific interest in experimental cinema or philosophical dialogue.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Two friends having a genuine, thoughtful conversation over dinner. No toxicity, conflict, or emotional manipulation—just honest dialogue about life, meaning, and perspective. Models respectful disagreement and deep listening.

Imaginative

The film itself is radically imaginative in form—110 minutes of two people talking at a restaurant was groundbreaking. Andre's stories involve experimental theater, mystical experiences, and unconventional worldviews that challenge conventional thinking. However, it doesn't invite active creative participation from viewers.

Safe

Essentially zero content concerns. It's literally two middle-aged men talking at a table. No violence, no sexual content, no profanity, no scares. Common Sense Media rates it 11+, likely only because younger kids would be bored senseless, not because of any inappropriate content.

Enriching

Philosophically rich exploration of meaning, authenticity, comfort vs. adventure, and how we choose to live. Challenges viewers to examine their own worldviews. Strong critical scores (93% RT, 83 Metacritic, 7.7 IMDb) reflect its intellectual depth. However, enrichment requires engagement, which is a tall order.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely thoughtful exploration of how to live a meaningful life—questions about comfort, adventure, authenticity, and connection that remain relevant
Models what real intellectual conversation looks like: respectful disagreement, active listening, and genuine curiosity about different perspectives
Zero content concerns—this might be the safest PG-rated film ever made
For the right teenager or adult interested in philosophy, theater, or experimental film, this is a masterclass in dialogue and ideas
Strong critical acclaim across the board suggests real artistic merit for those who can engage with it

⚠

What to Watch For

This is borderline unwatchable for modern audiences, especially kids—there's no plot, no action, no visual interest, just two middle-aged men talking
The 1981 pacing and theatrical style feels incredibly dated; even adults who appreciate 'slow cinema' will find this challenging
Kids will be bored within 5 minutes, and honestly, most adults will too—this requires a very specific mindset and patience level
Best suited for film students, philosophy enthusiasts, or people specifically seeking meditative, dialogue-driven cinema

Conversation Starters

"Andre talks about needing intense experiences to 'feel alive' while Wally values comfort and routine—which perspective resonates more with you?"
"Do you think we need to shake up our lives to stay engaged, or is there meaning in everyday routines?"
"The film is basically one long conversation—when was the last time we had an uninterrupted talk like that?"

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