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FEAST OF LOVE Send This Review to a Friend
Distinguished director Robert Benton attempts to portray various kinds of love in his new film, “Feast of Love,” written by Allison Burnett based on Charles Baxter’s novel. The challenge is difficult, and while there are some poignant moments, the overall effect is saccharine and more precious than emotionally involving.
A plus is having Morgan Freeman in a key role as Harry Stevenson, a semi-retired philosophy professor. A minus is the sort of greeting card wisdom the script compels him to dispense as an all-knowing sage observing the struggles and foibles of others in the story, which is set in Portland, Oregon. But Freeman is always a strong screen presence capable of surmounting, at least at times, the pomposity of his role.
To give you a taste of some of what’s included, Greg Kinnear plays a clueless husband whose wife (Selma Blair) is open to involvement with another woman (Stana Katic). The man learns slowly. In his next relationship, the woman he marries is still attracted to another man. There are two younger lovers, played by Toby Hemingway and Alexa Davalos, who come up with the idea of making a porn movie to get money that they need. Prof Stevenson, all wise, keenly observes what’s raging around him.
In his own world, he is married to Esther, played with somber dignity by Jane Alexander, and they have had to deal with a gnawing aspect of their lives, the loss of their son to a drug overdose, a tragedy which gives them perspective and fuels their desire to help others. Cast members also include Radha Mitchell, Billy Burke and Fred Ward. A Metro Goldwyn Mayer release.
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