The Dish & The Spoon (2011)
“The Dish & The Spoon” is a low budget romantic drama that focuses on love that is lost and found again, & unlikely friendships. This is a fiction movie directed by Alison Bagnall, and focuses on the complex relationship between the two main characters.
Synopsis
The movie centers on Rose (portrayed by Greta Gerwig), a woman who finds out that her husband has been cheating. Devastated, she runs away to a Delaware beach resort in the off season where she meets a reclusive and odd British teenager (performed by Olly Alexander). Thus, the two attempt to “get over” in a rather unorthodox way which is their growing obsession towards each other. The narrative is developed gently focusing on minor details of their experiences as they cope with their attraction towards each other, relationships and what the society expects from them.
Cast
- Greta Gerwig as Rose:
Greta Gerwig gives a blisteringly vulnerable and strong performance as a woman scorned and is looking for oneself. After starring in a few mumblecore films and directing Lady Bird and Little Women, this parts shows how good actress Greta Gerwig is at playing normal people, who feel realistic and relatable.
- Olly Alexander as The Boy: Portraying a delicate yet introspective teen with flair capturing all intensity of olly Alexander, who later attained broad fame in the vocal band Years & Years and one of performers in It’s a Sin, shares the screen with Gerwig.
Themes
- Heartbreak and Betrayal: The movie represents the most painful feelings associated with cheating, the processes of anger, sadness and finally acceptance as a cleansing process.
- Unlikely Connections: It shows how even complete strangers can help each other learn more about themselves, often in the most unexpected ways.
- Isolation and Small-Town Melancholy: Being sideways in time in a faded, empty coastal town, the film takes full advantage of its location as quite a representation of its conceptional characters.
Production and Style
- Director: Alison Bagnall’s professional focus involves working in American independent cinema and capturing emotionally genuine and unfiltered moments.
- Cinematography: The use of available light as well as handheld cameras creates a subjectively voyeuristic feel throughout the film which enhances the audience’s connection to the characters.
- Tone: The film also demonstrates a rather softly meditative mood choosing not to dwell on plot machinery, focusing instead on the characters; a characteristic of mumblecore style.
Reception
“This film (The Dish & The Spoon) confirms the talent of Greta Gerwig’s as she pulls off thisrole with remarkable warmth and depth” These review’s were appraised by many viewers especially Gerwigs who projecting her best. The Dish and the Spoon’s storyline was slow but very character-driven and so may not appeal to everyone.
Recommended Viewing
If you liked The Dish And The Spoon, here are other recommendations worth watching:
- “Blue Valentine” (2010): A painfully beautiful depiction of romance and heartache.
- “Before Sunrise” (1995): A film centered around two strangers who fall in love and spend time together.
- “Hannah Takes the Stairs” (2007): Typical mumblecore one more time but starring Greta Gerwig.