Educational Media Reviews Online

Kleine’s documentary is a candid look at Gregory’s acting and directing career, specifically as it relates to the making of My Dinner with Andre, and explores how his upbringing has influenced him and how he considers the creative process.

Gregory approaches acting and directing from a collaborative and whimsical viewpoint, indicating that he has, “spent a lifetime in the theatre creating happy families,” which related to his enjoyment in bringing the actors together to explore how they may further develop a scene that produces something that is more real and believable. Gregory further states that many people do not grow up with a supportive background, so he attempts to, through his presence to, “create an atmosphere in his rehearsals where the actors feel like they can do anything…there are no mistakes, there are no judgments.” Gregory notes that actors live and work in the real world, but while this is true, they must be free to explore and provide new meaning to life. This resource may be useful for film and acting students who are interested in studying the work of Andre Gregory, as well as understanding what goes into the creative process, and how one’s past experiences affect and can be used to provide a better understanding of a person’s work. The film includes brief moments of nudity and swearing.