By Sam Tucker
One aspect of my life that hasn’t come up in my writing for IPH is my Midwestern roots in Kansas City (Kansas, for those who might ask). Before moving to Chicago for college, I lived a stable, “salt of the earth” life, centered on school, sports and church. Family dinners at the Tucker household were a prime example of this: Over large meals we’d catch up on the day, while avoiding discussions of any controversial or challenging topics. For many people I grew up with, this way of life remains unchanged. I always felt drawn, however, to life in a metropolitan environment, with its different cultures, personalities and perspectives.
This sense of Midwestern banality serves as the backdrop for Dinner in America, which will have a one-night-only screening on Nov. 23, followed by a virtual Q&A with director Adam Rehmeier. I heard about this movie on the long-running podcast The Film Vault, and when asked to write about it, I was excited to move it from my JustWatch list to my Letterboxd. I can’t recall TFV’s exact review, but it resonated with the host who recommended it.
With a brisk runtime of an hour and 46 minutes, Dinner in America offers a sharp critique of the Midwestern lifestyle — and the difficulties that come from rebelling against it. The film follows a devil-may-care punk rocker as he bounces from one ill-advised escape to another. The pacing is excellent, with each “surprise” building on the next as he gets entangled with a fellow outcast, a quiet, norm-core social misfit. Both characters are brilliantly developed: bizarre, occasionally pathetic and often out of touch with reality. Yet a believable bond grows between them.
Simon, the punk character, provides a commentary on why the “edgy” kids you thought were cool in high school are often as flawed and fake as everyone else. This comes in stark contrast to the second lead, Patty — a quieter, introverted type who simply needs the right outlet to express herself. One scene shows Simon start to to defend her honor, only to jump-cut to him getting the brakes beaten off of him. He is ridiculed for his tough exterior that doesn’t hold up when it matters. Does he get his redemption? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out.
The film also explores the darker side of suburban life — not in a David Lynch way, but through the lens of repressed attitudes with a touch of toxic masculinity. But it doesn’t glamorize the grunge lifestyle at the expense of the “normie” world. It suggests that both paths might be attainable without having to destroy one or the other. That said, be warned: The film can be intense, and a lot of language might feel jarring in today’s cultural climate.
Still, Dinner in America is a fantastic watch, and I can only imagine how much better it would be in a packed theater. The Q&A with the director is also worth staying for, as Adam Rehmeier shares stories from his experiences in the film industry and behind-the-scenes details.
So, as always, head over to the IPH, turn off your phone and enjoy a nice beverage while contemplating what your life might have been like if you’d embraced a more fierce, “don’t give a s**t” attitude!