Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2012

Two sets of parents (Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet and Christoph Waltz) gather in a NYC apartment to discuss a schoolyard altercation between their sons. They’re initially civil and polite, but gradually become contentious, allegiances shift, and cracks begin to appear. Then the scotch comes out and the gloves come off, and someone pukes on a pile of art books. It’s wicked funny. Roman Polanski has made no effort to “cinematize” this comedy of manners in adapting Yasmina Reza’s award-wining stage play, and its obvious contrivances are best enjoyed if you imagine yourself at the play. (79 min)