Movie Review: Feast Of Love (2007)

Genre: Romantic Drama  

Director: Robert Benton  

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Jane Alexander, Selma Blair, Radha Mitchell, Alexa Davalos, Fred Ward, Margo Martindale  
Running Time: 97 minutes  

Synopsis: Portland is the setting for a series of loosely connected adventures in love and heartache. Coffee shop owner Bradley (Greg Kinnear) is devastated when his wife Kathryn (Selma Blair) leaves him for another woman. He seeks advice from his mentor Professor Harry Stevenson (Morgan Freeman, also narrating), who is still traumatized by the sudden loss of his son. Bradley's employee Oscar (Toby Hemingway), a recovering addict with a violent father (Fred Ward), starts a romance with Chloe (Alexa Davalos), and although they have little, they dream of a better life. Bradley finds a new love with real estate agent Diane (Radha Mitchell), who is also having an affair with a married man (Billy Burke).

What Works Well: The adaptation of Charles Baxter's book provides thoughtful and mature perspectives on the ups and downs of love, lust, loss, dreams, hopes, and physical attachment. Allison Burnett's screenplay features flawed but likeable characters navigating shifting emotions, saddled with life's luggage, and buffeted by surprises. Director Robert Benton rarely dawdles on any one couple, and finds moments of levity to lighten the mood. A stellar cast adds a spark even in minor roles.

What Does Not Work As Well: The ambition to explore several worthwhile stories bumps against the reality of a modest running time, resulting in several characters disappearing for long periods and a general under-development of themes. Fred Ward's angry-at-the-world father is a stock villain, and the trauma of loss suffered by Professor Stevenson and his wife (Jane Alexander) is covered in the broadest of strokes.

Key Quote:

Bradley (to Harry): God doesn't hate us, Harry. If he did, he wouldn't have made our hearts so brave.

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