The Perfect Dinner

The Perfect Dinner came up in a film club that I belong to, or I probably wouldn't have seen it. Italian comedies seem to have a different sense of humour to me, and I struggle to laugh, often cringe. My fault maybe. The plot involves a sort of adopted 'son' of a Neapolitan Mafia Boss, who is exiled to Rome for being 'too nice' for the rough stuff in Naples. Son's new position is to run a restaurant to launder the ill-gotten gains from the south. He meets an ex chef from the restaurant who has talent and the hunger for a Michelin star but failed to make a success at the site. She also has 'attitude' and is attractive. See where it's going.

The movie had not been running that long when I said to myself -"told you so" as the script started to roll out predictably, with defined characters and the pushed humour. However, I did relax and it got better. As an example of the feel-gooder European comedy, which it is, it is very good. You can sit back and watch Puccini and love it with some hard to believe story, Puccini could have written this. (maybe sadder end.) The work is saved by a combination- not bad script, a bit predictable but with some little twists. - Direction is simple but good and effective. - Acting is very good. I have never seen Salvatore Esposito, the 'son' before, but here he was very good, likeable and engaging and anchored the film. Greta Scarano the feisty Consuelo and Gianlucca Colucci the comic relief, Rosario, were also excellent. Some of the scenes such as the "Gang of Chefs Party" felt quite real. I was pleasantly surprised and quite enjoyed it.