Eat with Me

From the title, I wasn't expecting so much from this movie. I wonder if it would have been more popular with a different title.

But once inside the movie, I really, REALLY liked it! The movie is about relationships, and about growth. A mom, whose relationship with her husband has gone stale and lifeless. A son, who is gay, running a failing restaurant he inherited from his uncle. A neighbor who is kookie and free-wheeling. And a guy who has an interest in the restaurant owner.

Everyone is struggling with their relationships, and growing a bit in the process. I thought that film was a real charmer. I thought Sharon Omi as the mother was absolutely TERRIFIC. Her emotions are so subtly transmitted, but unmistakable. She is an excellent actress for this role. And Teddy Chen Culver was excellent, and yeah, cute too.

There are some compromising scenes that push the mom to the wall - like realizing that her gay son is actually shacking up with people. But there are lessons to be learned by everyone, when they are given the space to grow.

The film doesn't hit you over the head by over-explaining. It respects its audience enough to let you interpret. Just one example is an opening scene where the husband/dad complains about a wedding ring giving him a headache. The next is a scene of the mom on a train. It didn't need any drama in between to let us know what was happening, and why. A little transmits a lot when it's done right.

It's a sweet, SWEET film, and I thought t he ending was perfect! The little box of sweets at the end, in case anyone wanted dessert, was just charming - if one took notice of mom's comment about the bakery she liked to visit! And so was the sriracha! Delightful ending.

I could feel the dopamine flowing as I was watching this movie.