The story of a struggling journalist's unlikely friendship with actor Hervé Villechaize. Not a great bio-pic if I'm honest. Peter Dinklage is amazing as expected especially his unique French accent, Spot on. But the whole story is kind of melodramatic and rambling. Jamie Dornan's character is an addict/mess but left a little vague. Together they drive around in a limo, go to clubs, yell at each other, have many emotions together. Flashbacks show us Herve's life which is fascinating- sad. Great casting especially Andy Garcia' as Fantasy Island's Ricardo Montalban. Bottom line: it's just not all that interesting.
54 Reviews
A compelling tribute to the flawed individuals we all are
Jodie_ds24 October 2018
It took me a while to let go of the 'that's not the type of dwarfism he had' problem, but when I was finally able to do so, I was able to appreciate the story much more. It touched (lightly, admittedly, but also in an 'everyman' (sic) kind of way) on the themes of self-belief, self-control, and self-congratulation, and how thin the line between them is. One false move can see you fall on your face, or require you to push someone else out of your way; and we never know when that false move may occur or what may prompt it to happen.
A World For Humans~ does size really matter?
suananda28 October 2018
Our culture's infatuation with celebrity is bitter sweetly conveyed in the story of Hervé Villechaize, a star crossed lover of life who gained fame in Hollywood through his acting career. Daniel, the journalist played by Jamie Dornan is a fitting foil for Hervé, one teeter-tottering to sobriety, the other in flagrante ~ fully consumed by efforts to cover emotional pain. It's an opportunity to face the flaws in every human ~ in love we come face to face with the gap between a hero's summit that we hope to achieve and the mistakes we inevitably make in life as it unfolds. Peter Dinklage's performance is wonderful and as the writer, Dornan has a chance to display a nuanced character quite admirably.
Tattoo was kind of a dick, fame can ruin you.
deloudelouvain2 January 2020
If you were born before the eighties there is a big chance you watched or at least knew about Fantasy Island. It was one of those popular television shows and Tattoo, the dwarf, was one of the most recognizable character that made this show. Before Peter Dinklage became immensely popular with Game Of Thrones Hervé Villechaize was probably the most famous dwarf in the showbusiness. This movie is about his life. Peter Dinklage is definitely the most popular dwarf now and he deserves it, for his talented acting, so it's only natural he played this character. It's a good story, maybe not very flattering for Hervé Villechaize, as he doesn't look like the most enjoyable person, but his story is worth telling. Good job by Jamie Dornan as well. My Dinner With Hervé is an entertaining biography drama that brings back some memories from our childhood, well if you watched Fantasy Island as a kid.
beautiful in deep sense
Kirpianuscus28 October 2018
The basic motif for see it is the clash between Peter Dinklage and Jamie Dornan. The real motif is the impecable script. Seductive, bitter, powerful, a picture of deep solitude and relation with the past, courage and lovely story of friendship. A film about glory, succes and the other. A kind of poem about loneliness, working in impressive manner. Nothing surprising. Except , maybe, the fine art of director to give to a biopic the force of deep usefull parable.
✌🏻
dinek-6744321 October 2018
Probably the only reason to watch this is Peter Dinklage. And Hervé's story of course.
patriciogl1017 December 2018
My Dinner with Hervé is a biopic starring Peter Dinklage and Jamie Dornan about the rise and fall of French actor Hervé Villechaize, told through and peculiar interview with journalist Danny Tate (Dornan). The story of Hervé's life is particularly interesting. The relationship with his parents, when he was first diagnosed with some form of dwarfism, his first acting job, fame and fortune, stardom, marriage and the decline of everything he always dreamed of. I really liked the chemistry between the two leads. I was surprised with Jamie Dornan, he's like the kind of actor who starred in some awful franchise and can't be taken seriously. Well this time he delivers properly.
The movie follows an interesting but simple narrative structure where Hervé tells all about his life and get his story published, to be more than a color note. Peter Dinklage is simply a marvelous actor, I just can't get enough of him, most of us know him primarily from Game of Thrones, but he's been in great movies as well. I'm not sure if I would call this a great movie, but he is definitely great in it. His portrayal is sublime, adding character to his voice to suit the one that the real Hervé had. Just a joy to watch.
So if you are not sure to watch this film, do so because of Peter Dinklage, he really makes the story of Hervé Villechaize come to life. One day maybe someone will make a biopic about the life of the brilliant actor that is Peter Dinklage, whom I reckon is much more popular than Hervé ever was so there.
The movie follows an interesting but simple narrative structure where Hervé tells all about his life and get his story published, to be more than a color note. Peter Dinklage is simply a marvelous actor, I just can't get enough of him, most of us know him primarily from Game of Thrones, but he's been in great movies as well. I'm not sure if I would call this a great movie, but he is definitely great in it. His portrayal is sublime, adding character to his voice to suit the one that the real Hervé had. Just a joy to watch.
So if you are not sure to watch this film, do so because of Peter Dinklage, he really makes the story of Hervé Villechaize come to life. One day maybe someone will make a biopic about the life of the brilliant actor that is Peter Dinklage, whom I reckon is much more popular than Hervé ever was so there.
Peter Dinklage
merrigaytullock21 October 2018
Peter Dinklage does his best!
johnfbyers201023 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I like what Mr. Dinklage tried to accomplish but of course he is not Herve for many reasons so one must accept that when watching this movie.Only that and the remade portion of 'The Man with the Golden Gun" cause the viewer to have to go beyond the visual. The actor portraying Roger Moore was not even close and suffice to say the reason is to focus on Herve (Dinklage) as the original footage would not work.
The pain and suffering of the Herve is the premise of this picture so Mr. Dinklage does an outstanding job of conveying that to the viewer as does his relationship with the writer. This was worthy effort on many facets so you will like the end result of what Mr. Dinklage could reach for in Herve's situation.
Spectacular
GonzoDanMan21 October 2018
I knew little of Herve, despite that the show Fantasy Island was such a mega hit (I didn't watch the show but knew well of it). Dinklage presented a portrait of a man like I have never seen before; simply mesmerizing. I truly believe Dinklage may be the greatest living actor at this time, he is simply the most genuine and talented person in his craft. He is genius in GoT, but he simply amazes in his channeling of Herve. The story is well crafted and beautifully told, although a side story involving the reporter's personal life crisis seemed, well, not complete or fitting. However that is but a small portion of the story. The supporting cast was great too; Andy Garcia's Ricardo Montalban was shear excellence, and I love David Strathairn in anything he does. I thoroughly enjoyed this superb presentation of a fascinating story. Don't miss it.
SIME GREAT PERFORMANCES BY DINKELAGE AND EVEN (shocker) DORNAN, BUT SOME TRULY BAD CASTING AND TRITE WRITING, TOO.
baroncoco21 October 2018
Yes, DINKELAGE is great, DORNAN is very good, but the wonderful Andy Garcia as Montalban is just bad, and some other brilliant actors given too little of the pretty stock tale.
All of which you could take if it wasn't for all the faux-grimness and predictability of the writing. HE SHOULD HAVE DONE THE TRUE STORY FOR A SECOND PAPER BACK WHEN IT WOULD HAVE MATTERED. This...doesn't, really. A pity.
Serious Emmy bait, also a whole lot of fun!
cary_howe21 October 2018
Peter Dinklage is likely going to be competing against himself for an Emmy. I knew he was a brilliant actor, I've been following him since Threshold, but this is jaw dropping work. He hit it out of the park. I laughed and I cried and I finally understand Herve.
On top of Mr Dinklage's stunning performance the film is rock solid filmmaking. Great story, well shot and it never lost me for one second. It's such a wild ride you won't be bored. Jamie Dornan also deserves an Emmy nod. The director deserves credit for the performances as well. Creating characters like this is a team effort. I don't want to leave the writer out, I think they are facing a potential Emmy nod or better.
For me HBO has been hit and miss lately but they made an excellent decision backing this one. I very rarely give a 10 for anything, I can count on my two hands the number of times I have but this film deserves it. Most films now can't hold my attention for more than a few minutes. I find action movies boring because these days the more action the less character work we get. I'm in it for the characters. If I can't relate to them I get bored fast. We don't get characters like Indiana Jones anymore where it's a mix of action and character. It's refreshing to see the characters get the attention they deserve and they created some intriguing characters in this one. Give it a try and you'll be glad you did.
On top of Mr Dinklage's stunning performance the film is rock solid filmmaking. Great story, well shot and it never lost me for one second. It's such a wild ride you won't be bored. Jamie Dornan also deserves an Emmy nod. The director deserves credit for the performances as well. Creating characters like this is a team effort. I don't want to leave the writer out, I think they are facing a potential Emmy nod or better.
For me HBO has been hit and miss lately but they made an excellent decision backing this one. I very rarely give a 10 for anything, I can count on my two hands the number of times I have but this film deserves it. Most films now can't hold my attention for more than a few minutes. I find action movies boring because these days the more action the less character work we get. I'm in it for the characters. If I can't relate to them I get bored fast. We don't get characters like Indiana Jones anymore where it's a mix of action and character. It's refreshing to see the characters get the attention they deserve and they created some intriguing characters in this one. Give it a try and you'll be glad you did.
Good movie but...
tarnika_wilcher2 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There's a lot of details from a biopic that should not have been overlooked...correct military outfits...car details...tv shows....and one more to add to the list...when Herve was erratically driving his limousine and Danny was in the back seat...getting tossed around and the take out food was all over the back of limo and on Danny...when Herve finally stopped the limo and Danny tousled out of the car there was a 2000's Kia Soul SUV that drove pass...
Herve Was Filipino
nafps19 March 2022
His stepfather was French, but Herve's ancestry was not.
Anyone who remembers Fantasy Island remembers him as the Asian little person sidekick to Roarke.
Dinklage is a great actor, but as a casting choice it's bizarre. It's like having Robert De Niro play Bruce Lee in a film bio.
In spite of his performance and a good script, pretending Herve was white makes this film too strange to completely work.
Anyone who remembers Fantasy Island remembers him as the Asian little person sidekick to Roarke.
Dinklage is a great actor, but as a casting choice it's bizarre. It's like having Robert De Niro play Bruce Lee in a film bio.
In spite of his performance and a good script, pretending Herve was white makes this film too strange to completely work.
A divided viewer
tostte28 January 2019
"My Dinner With Herve" is enjoyable movie although it kind of looks like a HBO's 'thank you' to Peter Dinklage for what he achieved in GOT.
Also as a viewer this is an enjoyable movie, but if I was some sort of a boring film critic I would compare it to the move "Cobb" that has a similar dramatic setup: a reporter goes to interview a recluse legend (Ty Cobb) who is forgotten by now and he reveals his dark side to him as well as his vulnerable human side. And, indeed, as such "Cobb" fulfills that dramatic setup more since Ty Cobb was more messed up person and pretty much evil inside; while Herve was a good person although he seemed unpleasant sometimes.
But "Herve" wants to be more than that although at moments it seems the movie doesn't know what it wants to be - is it a biography, battle of different inner personalities (or battle between id and ego) like "Cobb", stage for little people's issues and problems... but that's all if you want to watch it like a boring film critic; if you rather want to watch it to fulfill some tome then it's great.
But "Herve" wants to be more than that although at moments it seems the movie doesn't know what it wants to be - is it a biography, battle of different inner personalities (or battle between id and ego) like "Cobb", stage for little people's issues and problems... but that's all if you want to watch it like a boring film critic; if you rather want to watch it to fulfill some tome then it's great.
A sad story
cekadah5 January 2019
Peter Dinklage gives a stellar performance as Herve'. This film is classic start to finish.
My reason for the 7 stars is because I couldn't understand the dialog of Herve'. Dinklage put too much into the accent of Herve' and I missed alot of what that character had to say.
Otherwise it's a wonderful movie !
My reason for the 7 stars is because I couldn't understand the dialog of Herve'. Dinklage put too much into the accent of Herve' and I missed alot of what that character had to say.
Otherwise it's a wonderful movie !
Fantasy island
safenoe13 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Being a fan of Fantasy Island I was keen to catch My Dinner with Herve as the in-flight movie. What I found more entertaining were the James Bond and Fantasy Island reconstructions and the background to Herve's involvement. Quite sad was the realization that Herve let his parents down with the Bond appearance.
Jamie Dornan is reasonable in the role as the journalist but I would have preferred Danny Dyer to be cast to add a sharp edge.
Jamie Dornan is reasonable in the role as the journalist but I would have preferred Danny Dyer to be cast to add a sharp edge.
Entertaining, Eyeopening, and Sad Drama
xangodad23 October 2018
I didn't know anything about Herve and watched Fantasy Island once in a while.. It was an interesting show that dealt with all aspects of life.. Being able to accomplish what Herve did with the challenges he had in life was truly remarkable!! Peter Dinkage was remarkable as his portrayal of Herve life... The movie reveals what can happen to someone when money and popularity is quickly injected into someone life. Kept me on edge the whole time!!
Was great but
Delrvich15 September 2021
Thank you Mr. Dinklage
siesha21 October 2018
Movie Review: My Dinner with Hervé
Nathan_Needs_A_Username6 April 2019
Well, that was a surprise. I almost want to accept this as HBO's apology for their Fahrenheit 451 adaptation earlier this year. Almost. That film still really sucks.
Writer/director Sacha Gervais recounts the story of the night he spent with iconic French actor Hervé Villechaize while working on an article that never got published. As the story goes Gervasi promised Villechaize that he would tell his absolutely fascinating life story to the world and now 25 years on HBO has produced this film detailing why that promise was made.
If Gervasi's screenplay is accurate (which it appears to be for the most part) then Villechaize's life certainly was far more interesting and tragic than I had first presumed. The screenplay never really holds back on the details of the story which helps present a more rounded view of the actor's life. This can also lead to the film at points feeling more like someone reading a Wikipedia article.
Peter Dinklage is absolutely fantastic, completely disappearing into his role blurring the line between himself and the real Villechaize. His delivery of the iconic line "the plane, the plane" is almost pitch perfect. In a way Dinklage reminded me of David Bradley's performance as William Hartnell in several Doctor Who projects. Dinklage's non Game of Thrones performances keep continue to showcase why he was so instantly loved as soon as the first season aired. Given that the GOT cast does not have a reputation for quality outside of the show Dinklage has certainly managed to separate himself from the show in way many of his cast mates have not.
The closing shot is more than a little cheesy and the over emphasis on ensuring that every fact is given can make the film drag, however this does help make the overall sentiment feel more genuine.
I have nothing but respect for Gervasi for finally telling this story as well as for HBO for allowing him to do so. If you have access via HBO Go or Sky Q or anywhere else it is showing definitely check it out.
Writer/director Sacha Gervais recounts the story of the night he spent with iconic French actor Hervé Villechaize while working on an article that never got published. As the story goes Gervasi promised Villechaize that he would tell his absolutely fascinating life story to the world and now 25 years on HBO has produced this film detailing why that promise was made.
If Gervasi's screenplay is accurate (which it appears to be for the most part) then Villechaize's life certainly was far more interesting and tragic than I had first presumed. The screenplay never really holds back on the details of the story which helps present a more rounded view of the actor's life. This can also lead to the film at points feeling more like someone reading a Wikipedia article.
Peter Dinklage is absolutely fantastic, completely disappearing into his role blurring the line between himself and the real Villechaize. His delivery of the iconic line "the plane, the plane" is almost pitch perfect. In a way Dinklage reminded me of David Bradley's performance as William Hartnell in several Doctor Who projects. Dinklage's non Game of Thrones performances keep continue to showcase why he was so instantly loved as soon as the first season aired. Given that the GOT cast does not have a reputation for quality outside of the show Dinklage has certainly managed to separate himself from the show in way many of his cast mates have not.
The closing shot is more than a little cheesy and the over emphasis on ensuring that every fact is given can make the film drag, however this does help make the overall sentiment feel more genuine.
I have nothing but respect for Gervasi for finally telling this story as well as for HBO for allowing him to do so. If you have access via HBO Go or Sky Q or anywhere else it is showing definitely check it out.
Not much of a dinner... Not much of Hervé either.
braniki15 November 2018
This film deals less with Hervé Villechaise's real life than with a dull interviewer meeting a forgotten actor he wasn't even interested into in the first place. Only 42 minutes out of 105 of screen time are indeed showing bits and pieces of Hervé's life and career through mostly uninformative flash backs. The rest is only uninspired and irrelevant conversation wasting time showing the interviewer's problematic life. Who cares ? There is no mention of Hervé's health issues which led to his suicide and Peter Dinklage bears no ressemblance with Villechaise apart from being small and poorly imitating his voice and accent. Avoid this film and rewatch Billy Wilder's "Sunset Blvd" instead.
Excellent! See this one...
rhmacl23 October 2018
I got sucked right into this flick on HBO; the era (my teens), the music, the reconstruction of timeless scenes and TV personalities were spot on. But Mr. Dinklage is excellent, surpassing expectations and delivering a huge gift to the entertainment universe. The story was well-told by framing a range of 'out-of-control' personal worlds, while harvesting gut wrenching observations about being alive, being a person, being flawed, being human. Dinklage bravely fills-in that void between "you" and "him" with honesty, authenticity and structure. Great performance. It changed me...honestly! I feel like a better person... wow.
It's well worth a watch
chrismonkee22 October 2018
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
