Retro-Review/Appreciative Remembrance in the Wall Street Journal

Thanks so much for posting the link to that article.

Yes, you may find MDWA different & more engaging on a second viewing. For me, it's not just what they talk about--although that's fascinating to me, as it always sparks new ideas & thoughts whenever I watch the film again--but it's also how they talk. They actually listen to each other with interest, wanting to understand what the other is saying, rather than just waiting for a chance to jump in & refute it. Oh, they disagree, but they never become insulting or bitterly angry with each other.

There's also a lot of humor in their conversation. Andre Gregory the actor is sometimes sending up the artistic pretensions of "Andre Gregory" the character--affectionately, but knowingly. He agrees with what he's saying, but he can also see the amusing or absurd side of it, too. He's serious, but never ponderously solemn.

And while Wally says almost nothing during the first part of their conversation, he's giving a masterclass in non-verbal response to what he's hearing, as shown by the constant shifting of his expressions: amazed, bewildered, dubious, flustered, absorbed, curious, outraged.

I'd also call attention to things like background sounds, as when a police siren punctuates Andre's talk about preserving culture & art & civilization. Or how the other diners slowly disappear as the evening moves forward. And moments with their waiter, whose expressions also speak volumes. His eyebrows speak volumes!

When you do watch it again, I hope you'll post your reaction to that second viewing!

It is a great movie, but it doesn't appeal to everyone. I love these dialog type movies. Another one is "Mindwalk" ... both hard to find.