Beatriz at Dinner

Beatriz at Dinner is a 2017 drama-comedy film directed by Miguel Arteta and crafted by screenwriter Mike White, a duo well known for their explorations of the human condition. This cinematic piece features a fascinating cast including Salma Hayek, John Lithgow, Connie Britton, Jay Duplass and Amy Landecker, among others.

The film tells the story of Beatriz, portrayed by the multi-talented performer Salma Hayek with extreme subtlety and sincerity. Beatriz is a spiritual, soft-spoken woman from Mexico working as a holistic medicine practitioner. Her life, often filled with tranquillity and quietude, takes an interesting turn when her car breaks down at her wealthy clients’ luxurious house. Cathy and Grant, played by Connie Britton and David Warshofsky, invite Beatriz to stay for a dinner party they are hosting for some influential and affluent friends since she could not manage to arrange a ride back home due to unforeseen circumstances.

John Lithgow plays the character of Doug Strutt with audacity, an obnoxiously wealthy real estate developer whose prosperity comes at the cost of the environment and people's rights. To Strutt and his circle, success is measured in material wealth, power, and influence, a polar opposite of Beatriz's personal and spiritual values.

As the dinner unfolds, Hayek brilliantly portrays Beatriz’s discomfort and growing frustration with the blithe ignorance and egoism of the elite. Her normally calm and collected demeanor is shattered when presented with the heedless dismissal of environmental and human rights issues that she values deeply. The fascinating aspect of the film is how it bravely holds a mirror to the ongoing socio-economic divide and the stark juxtaposition of different cultures and world views.

“Beatriz at Dinner” is not just an engaging movie addressing social inequalities, it also tackles themes of grief, mortality, and the nature of the universe. It shows us a society where people are constantly barraged with difficult moral questions, challenging the boundaries of what is ethical and acceptable.

Despite its serious themes, the film doesn’t sacrifice humor. The comedy is sharp and insightful, often pointed at the shallow and superficial aspects of the elite society. It shows the hypocrisy and double standards of a world where fortunes are built often at the vicinity of other people's misery.

The film’s cinematography, captured by Wyatt Garfield, is excellent, often offsetting the affluent, reserved setting with close-ups of Beatriz’s increasingly vexed and concerned face. These shots provide a powerful contrast that amplifies the tension of the movie's narrative.

The story script by Mike White is peppered with sharp dialogues that reflect societal truths. Salma Hayek's calm, soft-spoken demeanor as Beatriz sets an intriguing contrast with the superficial arrogance of the elite crowd. John Lithgow flawlessly embodies the role of an insensitive entrepreneur who perceives everything through the lens of personal gains. Connie Britton as the well-intentioned but oblivious hostess is equally compelling.

"Beatriz at Dinner" is a bold and timely film testing the affinities of class divide, challenging our notions about the existing social order. It unpacks the disparity in modern society wherein the affluent are lovingly wrapped in a bubble of ignorance and self-indulgence, tragically disconnected from the sufferings of the world. This film precipitates an uncomfortable conversation about wealth, privilege, and the often invisible psychological divide but does so with sharp intelligence and dramatic flavor.

In conclusion, "Beatriz at Dinner" is a brilliantly crafted film that is provocative, thoughtful, and entertaining. Its thoughtful character development and plot weave together to create a cinematic experience that both challenges and stimulates the viewer. It is a movie that should not be missed, especially by audiences seeking deeper meaning and societal commentary in their choice of film.