Reviews

Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies

erickibler4's review against another edition

5.0

I missed the chance to see this play, performed and directed by some very talented friends, a few years ago. But recently, at my acting class, the teacher handed me a monologue from the show. Intrigued, I decided to tackle some of the material as a monologue piece.

There are two married couples in the story who are close friends. But when one of the couples divorces, the friendship is thrown for a loop and the intact couple must confront some of the more unpleasant of life's realities.

The issues dealt with here are universal to marriage, aging, and friendship. But they're dealt with so deftly and sensitively that nothing ever feels cliched. I'd welcome any chance to see it performed or to perform in it.

talon1010's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

For a play about marriage, I had few high expectations, but this truly changed the way I think about things in ways perhaps only a short play can. I'm not sure if I ever want to get married, at least not like them. 

lou_prnts's review against another edition

3.0

[3.5/5] it was really really hard to care about the characters, i probably will forget that play very easily but it still had a lot of interesting different voices on marriage, commitment, etc
also i'm just a student, i've never been married; maybe that's why i felt very unempathetic to the entire story

kimberly_levaco's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While this play doesn’t really have a villain, when I read it I tend to side with Karen and Gabe, I wonder if with more life experience I’ll feel more for Beth and Tom…

marcg789's review against another edition

funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

midnightbluejo28's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

casspro's review against another edition

5.0

I'm glad that I finally found this play after seeing the same scene done in stage combat over and over again. It's a great insight into marriage and intimacy and what happens with those things are over. I loved the dialogue and its the ebbs and flows. No one is the good guy and no one is the bad guy. Everything is gray area, much like every day relationships.

dibookchronicles's review against another edition

sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ryrymacd15's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dreamerhabits's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

3.5

This was exhausting, good, but exhausting