It's a film guaranteed to divide an audience. Actor and writer Wallace Shawn sits down for a restaurant meal with theatre director Andre Gregory, who discusses aspects of his experiences to his companion, who listens avidly but calls into question some of his views and decisions. So what have we here, a thrilling philosophical debate or almost two hours of two men talking in uncinematic fashion? I should add that Shawn and Gregory are playing themselves and recreating an actual dinner conversation that took place between them.

Directed by Louis Malle, the film is being described in the press notes as "a fascinating freeze-frame of cosmopolitan culture." It certainly struck enough of a cultural chord to warrant a Simpsons parody (the 'My Dinner with Andre' video game in the episode Boy Scoutz 'N the Hood). I'll admit that I've never really been a fan, but Camus will happily wax lyrical on the film's many qualities, and indeed would have done so had we got our hands on the recent UK release from Optimum in time. Well he may still get his chance in June when the film is released on US DVD by none other than Criterion.

The disc will feature a new, restored high definition digital transfer in the film's original 1.33:1 aspect ratio and te following extras:

1. New video interviews with actors André Gregory and Wallace Shawn by filmmaker and friend Noah Baumbach;
2. My Dinner with Louis, an episode from the BBC program Arena, in which Shawn interviews director Louis Malle;
3. A booklet featuring an essay by critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces written for the printed screenplay by Gregory and Shawn.

My Dinner with Andre will be released on US DVD by Criterion on 23rd June 2009 at the SRP of $39.95.