Late for Dinner *** (1991, Brian Wimmer, Peter Berg, Marcia Gay Harden) – Classic Movie Review 11,983

Marcia Gay Harden.

Director W D Richter’s 1991 American science fiction drama film Late for Dinner stars Peter Berg, Brian Wimmer and Marcia Gay Harden.

Santa Fe 1962, Willie Husband (Brian Wimmer) and his dim-witted brother-in-law Frank Lovegren (Peter Berg) are in a shoot-up with a wicked property developer. The doctor, Dr Dan Chilblains (Bo Brundin), who helps them, sends them into suspended animation for 30 years and, when they thaw out after a lorry crash at the lab, they have to reclaim their life as Wimmer meets his 50-something wife and grown-up daughter.

W D Richter’s film is not as interesting as it sounds because it doesn’t push hard enough in any direction – not enough of a thriller, not enough sci-fi, no special effects, insufficient mad-doctor stuff and Back to the Future-style sentimentality and tears. But nevertheless it is entirely amiable, innocuous and watchable. And it is different and short too (99 minutes), with sweet performances that pay dividends by keeping the actors naturalistic and unzany.

It is written by Mark Andrus.

The support cast includes Peter Gallagher, Richard Steinmetz and Janeane Garofalo in her first, small role as the Counter Girl cashier in a burger joint.

The film was released on 20 September 1991, cost $14 million and earned under $9 million.

The cast are Peter Berg as Frank Lovegren, Brian Wimmer as Willie Husband, Marcia Gay Harden as Joy Husband, Colleen Flynn as Adult Jessica Husband, Peter Gallagher as Bob Freeman, Richard Steinmetz as Adult Donald Freeman, Cassy Friel as Little Jessica Husband, Ross Malinger as Little Donald Freeman, Luce Rains (billed as Steven Schwartz-Hartley) as Duane Gardener, John Prosky as Officer Tom Bostich, Bo Brundin as Dr Dan Chilblains, Donald Hotton as Dr Chris Underwood, Kyle Secor as Leland Shakes, Billy Vera (voice) as the Male Radio D J,  Jeremy Roberts as the Truck Driver, Janeane Garofalo as the Counter Girl, Michael Beach, Maria Rubell, Emily Kuroda, Patricia Finn-Lee, Colleen Flynn, Drew Snyder, Aimee Aro, and Jon Paul Steuer.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 11,983

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

Marcia Gay Harden.