My Dinner With Andre is a strange film that is -- in a matter of offering a simple definition -- nothing more than 111 minutes of two talking heads. Perhaps that description instantly turns you off, and if it does then by no means consider watching this film because you won't have the patience for it. As a matter of fact, even though this is my kind of film, with its inviting environment filled with conversation between old friends, the one-sided nature of the conversation is a bit of a turn off. Especially when you connect with one of the characters who only chides the other after encouraging him for about 60 of the film's 111 minutes.

Directed by acclaimed French helmer Louis Malle, My Dinner With Andre stars Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory as themselves in a script written by the duo based on actual conversations they'd had, primarily based on the life experiences of Gregory. This, actually, is where the film loses its footing -- for me at least. Gregory's stories feel like nothing more than the ravings of a madman as he talks of his journey to the Sahara with a Tibetan monk, his travels to India and his time in a Scottish commune where the people negotiate with the insects as opposed to using insecticide. Andre's matter-of-fact approach to the new age conversation is tough to grasp. Is he serious about the things he is saying? Oftentimes his comments are accompanied by desperate laughter, but perhaps that's the reasoning for this dinner in the first place.

The film opens with Wally (Shawn) on his way to an upper-class restaurant where he is meeting Andre for their dinner. Along the way we become acquainted with Wally via voice over as he talks of the troubles with his career -- he's a playwright without a produced play and an actor without a part to play -- and his confusion over why Andre wants to have dinner with him after not seeing him for so many years. As it turns out, Andre's actual intentions for the dinner are never specifically vocalized. We could assume it is an attempt to merely catch-up with an old friend, but I'm not inclined to believe that.

Andre's conversation is self-centered and egotistical, almost to the point he is looking for validation for the things he has done. I got the impression Andre has no confidence in where his life has taken him and he's just searching for someone to connect with, to unburden him with his concerns and understand him and say what he has done was worth it. Wally doesn't offer that understanding, instead he rejects it, but in my opinion a bit too late. Wally certainly has more patience to listen to drivel than I do as I would have cut Andre off long before he ever even got started on convincing insects to munch on one crop and not the other, but to Wally's credit, he sticks to his guns even though he does allow the smooth-talking Andre to have the last word.

While I am not entirely sold on this film it is hard not to appreciate Criterion's presentation. Released in a two-disc set with the film on disc one and a small group of special features on disc two, you get all you could need in terms of extras.

Instead of an audio commentary, which really would almost feel overwhelming considering the nature of the film, you get a well produced hour-long interview session with Shawn and Gregory conducted by director Noah Baumbach. Shawn and Gregory make up 30 minutes each and offer a variety of details on the film's path to being made. A couple of great quotes come out of the two interview sessions, most notably when Gregory taps into one of the reasons today's films have a hard time making an impact, "Words are hugely powerful and that's been forgotten, most especially in the movies. The ability of the word to activate people is a huge thing." He compares good writing to Barack Obama's presidential campaign and his ability to use words to inspire the voting public. It's a good comparison no matter who you voted for and something screenwriters should certainly consider.

A second feature is an episode of the BBC program "Arena" in which Shawn sits down with Louis Malle to talk about the film, his involvement and why he decided to take it on. Finally, there's yet another impressive 27-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces written by Gregory and Shawn for the published screenplay. Taubin's essay is a bit pompous and filled with hyperbole, but the prefaces from Shawn and Gregory are worthy reads.

Overall, I have a feeling the audience that will want to watch and re-watch My Dinner With Andre is rather limited. The film would be best watched with a friend just as interested in discussing films as you may be, but discussion is necessary when it comes to this film as it presents two opposing ideas making it impossible not to fall on one side or the other. Personally, I came away annoyed. I may return to this film one day, but not any time soon.