Eat with Me (2014) User Reviews

Great movie and some wonderful performances

[whitplay-821-822044 · 8/10 · 30 January 2017]

I skipped over this movie quite a few times on Netflix before finally deciding to view it. I'm glad that I did. Eat with Me is a wonderfully touching movie about personal growth and communication in relationships. Many of the performances are stellar with Nicole Sullivan's turn as the kooky neighbor a stand out. But Sharon Omi's performance as a wife and mother not really sure how to fulfill either role was just mesmerizing in my opinion. Her expressions of bewilderment, of longing, of concern, and ultimately resolution are powerful. Omi is not only my new favorite actress but my new favorite human being. Eat with Me will make your hungry ... for something more out of life.

It is better than what I have expected

[justmetiamo · 8/10 · 11 October 2015]

Hey out there, here is just some thoughts I have after watching this movie. I may will spoiler a bit of the story line. So here is the thing about gay movies, I have watched a lot of them, and most of them (well the one that I watched) are giving me a feeling of mostly about sexual. However, in this movie somehow I don't have the same feeling as the other. This movie is really sweet but at the same time so real to me. Maybe because I am an Asian, I kind of have felt the same way while I was watching it. This movie talked about relationship between people (Mother/son, husband/wife, friends) which all above are happening to everyone including myself. I was always thinking of how will my parent find out I am actually gay. Sometime I was hoping they will chill about it, but I know it will be hard for them to accept who I am. "Eat with me" has shown me that how Elliot's mum over come what she doesn't want to believe. And how she accepted her son, and she would do everything for her son to be happy. I suppose because he is her only son. Even tho some of the actors/actresses in the movie were not really good at in their role, but to be honest over all, it was a great movie for everyone to watch.

young entrepreneur has money troubles, mom troubles

[ksf-2 · 8/10 · 12 August 2015]

Very light, fluffy drama/comedy, with lots of things going on; a young, Asian entrepreneur (Teddy Culver) tries to cope when his mother (Sharon Omi) moves in with him. Some fun guest stars -- Nicole Sullivan, George Takei. Elliot owns the restaurant, and has huge money troubles. The basic story is excellent and contemporary. Fun interaction between the neighbor (N. Sullian) and Mom. Some confusion here and there... the writers keep toying with us, and a couple times we're not sure if we're in a dream sequence, or if a scene is really happening. I was willing to let the first one go, but then five minutes later, they did it again. not cool. Everyone gives a GREAT performance, acting-wise. Sweet story lines, mostly well done. Fun bit with George Takei, who pretty much plays himself. Aiden Bristow plays "Ian", the boyfriend. Why did I not hear of this movie before ?? Written and directed by David Au. Not a lot of info on him. Will look for more films by both Au and Culver.

Mom and son drama with a crazy fun neighbor

[crystalmh3698 · 10/10 · 2 July 2014]

I saw this film at Frameline 38 in San Francisco on June 26, 2014 at 4 pm at the magnificent Castro Theater. This is the funniest movie I have seen in years. Outstanding performances from Sharon Omi and Teddy Chen Culver as Mom and Son - who have no idea how to communicate with each other. Mom leaves Dad (because they don't know how to communicate with each other) moves in with Son and wackiness happens. Nicole Sullivan is the free spirited next door neighbor who steals every scene she is in. David Au's writing is brilliant and Nicole's comedic delivery and timing is perfect. George Takai makes a wonderful appearance and there are some dumplings thrown in the mix. This is a fabulous, fun, family film with food and everyone should see it. I saw 25 films at Frameline this year and this was my favorite.

Very charming

[farmanilla8 · 10/10 · 13 July 2014]

An absolutely charming film! It works on so many levels - as a comedy and as a heartfelt film about a mother coming to know and understand her son. The ensemble is very good, including a great appearance by the legendary George Takei at the end. All the characters are richly drawn, including a neighbor who could be a stock character but turns our to be excellent comic relief. I saw this at Frameline and the crowd went crazy for it. This should be a hit at LGBT film festivals all year. I highly recommend seeing it. It has heart and humor and the great food will make you hungry. This is one of the best LGBT films of the year, in my opinion

Dull Cliché-ridden Bunch of Nothing

[ekeby · 3/10 · 10 August 2015]

The characters aren't interesting, the story isn't interesting (or plausible), and the pacing is excruciatingly slow. I don't mind slow if it's good slow. This is bad slow.

There is nothing original to be seen here. All these characters--even these Asian characters--have been seen before. The dialog is completely flat. If there's an uninteresting way to say something, this writer found it. There were a couple scenes where I could pretty much say the line to come before it was said--it was that predictable and trite.

It was difficult for me to believe the central character was gay. A gay guy who owns a restaurant that's failing because the food is so dull? I don't think so. Not that we know what's wrong with the food exactly. We just know that nobody likes it. The miraculous turn-around ending of the movie was just as inexplicable. Better dumplings? Nice chairs, nice white tablecloths? Wait, what?

Dumb me. I thought I might be in for an Eat Drink Man Woman quality movie, and perhaps that's what it aspired to, but this is the polar opposite of that film.

This film was refreshing

[kenmart78 · 10/10 · 6 August 2015]

This film was just so easy to watch and I really didn't want it to end. It was refreshing to see an LGBT film that doesn't just show the same old clichéd style. It approached many issues if relationships (boyfriend/friend, mother/son, husband/wife) in a way that was effective and not crass or raunchy. What I appreciated most is that this film is not just an LGBT film, it transcends all groups and all demographics. I was happy to see the diversity in the cast. The acting was top notch and the writing was a driving force. The music used in this film was almost a character in and of itself. It helped move the story along and held it all together nicely. We really need more films like this to help connect families that might be going through similar issues. The only negative thing I have to say about this film is that all the delicious food throughout made me want to go eat! Two thumbs up!!

Terrible movie

[Emifong03 · 1/10 · 24 September 2014]

This movie was really bad. Not the worst movie I'd ever seen, but a waste of time nonetheless and infuriating to watch. Here are the reasons I hated it: - Acting. Some of the most inexpressive faces and bodies ever seen on the silver screen. No believability to the characters. You really felt they were "only pretending". The best actor of the group, to me, was the character Maureen. - Dialogue. I think a high school student could have written the dialogue. - Cinematography. Completely uninteresting way to film a movie. The angles and shots felt like they were taken by any random person simply holding up a video camera. - Predictable storyline. Slow pacing of movie. Overall, thoroughly unenjoyable to me - I also find the existing 8.3 rating on IMDb highly, highly suspect.

A cute film

[dingaohome · 10/10 · 8 August 2015]

Okay IMDb you need to fix your rating system. It's a very sweet down to earth life film that doesn't try to be anything more than it is. It has very funny moments and awkward ones. You will enjoy it a lot more if you don't put everything under the microscope.

Shannon Omi played the role very well and it was very impressive to see an older Asian woman as the main character. I enjoyed watching Emma's journey of discovering/reinventing herself and breaking stereotypes as an Asian woman. Overall it was well developed with solid characters and good watch for anyone who wants to try something outside the mainstream.

Sweet, charming, and heartwarming

[rklein123 · 9/10 · 3 September 2023]

From the title, I wasn't expecting so much from this movie. I wonder if it would have been more popular with a different title.

But once inside the movie, I really, REALLY liked it! The movie is about relationships, and about growth. A mom, whose relationship with her husband has gone stale and lifeless. A son, who is gay, running a failing restaurant he inherited from his uncle. A neighbor who is kookie and free-wheeling. And a guy who has an interest in the restaurant owner.

Everyone is struggling with their relationships, and growing a bit in the process. I thought that film was a real charmer. I thought Sharon Omi as the mother was absolutely TERRIFIC. Her emotions are so subtly transmitted, but unmistakable. She is an excellent actress for this role. And Teddy Chen Culver was excellent, and yeah, cute too.

There are some compromising scenes that push the mom to the wall - like realizing that her gay son is actually shacking up with people. But there are lessons to be learned by everyone, when they are given the space to grow.

The film doesn't hit you over the head by over-explaining. It respects its audience enough to let you interpret. Just one example is an opening scene where the husband/dad complains about a wedding ring giving him a headache. The next is a scene of the mom on a train. It didn't need any drama in between to let us know what was happening, and why. A little transmits a lot when it's done right.

It's a sweet, SWEET film, and I thought t he ending was perfect! The little box of sweets at the end, in case anyone wanted dessert, was just charming - if one took notice of mom's comment about the bakery she liked to visit! And so was the sriracha! Delightful ending.

I could feel the dopamine flowing as I was watching this movie.

Disappointing and dry

[joeluu-81309 · 3/10 · 16 February 2016]

I wanted to like this movie, I really did, but there was nothing that grabbed me and made me want to stay. But sadly I did and the more I sat and watched the more I sighed and tried not to cringe at the excruciating dialogue presented. When I saw this movie on Netflix I thought it would be perfect for me since I myself am a gay Asian man and I could relate. Big mistake. While the setting and ambiance was well thought out, the execution and chemistry between the characters are so poor you can't really notice anything else. The writing makes me so angry I find myself dumbfounded how anybody thought it was acceptable. For example the love interest, Ian, was British and you can tell not only by his accent but by his lines. "Wow. Brilliant!" "Cheers" "Bloody hell" and it doesn't help that the actor playing him is bland and unconvincing. The conversations the characters have with each other are so bizarre that the actors themselves do not even know how to react. This happens every time Jenny (Jamila Alina) is on screen. The only saving grace of this film is Nicole Sullivan and George Takei. The whole film is boring and slow and doesn't leave you rooting for anybody. Don't watch this, save your time.

Thinly plotted borefest

[malpasc-391-915380 · 3/10 · 2 September 2016]

Eat With Me had been in my recommendations on Netflix for ages, so finally I decided to watch it. I watch quite a few of the LGBT films on Netflix as I am a member of that community so it is nice to see it represented on film once in a while.

However, I found this film just boring. Very little really happens, and when it does its so random it doesn't look or feel realistic. It feels like a plot point.

The relationship between Elliot and his mother was quite sweet to watch as they reconnected with each other, and there is one hilarious scene where the mother Emma, ends up accidentally taking drugs with the nextdoor neighbour.

On to the gay relationship part of the movie, the love interest, Ian, was just terrible terrible terrible - bland and clichéd. Whoever the actor is, his name fails me now he left so little impression, delivered his lines like something from a local amateur dramatic society play. Wooden, and like he was directly reading off a page from the script. There was very little development of the relationship between Elliot and Ian, and because there was no real timeline to follow you couldn't really tell how far along they were supposed to be. Neither did I really care by the end of it.

The movie comes to a fairly abrupt and unsatisfying ending that doesn't really tie up any loose ends from what plot there was.

To sum up, a dull distraction. Something to watch when you have nothing else to.

Heartfelt but mediocre at best

[pervocrat · 5/10 · 3 July 2017]

As gay dramas with characters of Chinese heritage go, there are better structured, better written, and better filmed choices out there (the beautifully shot and sensitively written "Lilting" comes to mind), and although "Eat With Me" does a solid job of engaging with contemporary Asian-American identity - something sorely under-represented in Hollywood - there's little here that doesn't feel touched by stereotype or familiar tropes.

However, this is a movie with its heart in the right place, and it's at its best when giving screen time to the wonderful Sharon Omi as Emma, a mother struggling to rebuild her relationship with her son (Teddy Chen Culver).

Mostly, this is a fluffy, by-the-numbers piece, good-natured but lacking in any real depth or imagination. It's really memorable only for showing genuine empathy to Emma's character instead of focusing exclusively on her son's point of view, and it's that sensitivity that saves the movie from flopping entirely.

Teddy Chen Culver, as Elliot, comes over as stilted and distant - which initially seems to be intentional, to convey the emotional repression shared by mother and son - but he never quite seems to open up, and the rest of the cast seem by turns equally ill at ease. Even a heavy- handed cameo from George Takei (was he promised his weight in dumplings to show up?) does little to lift the pace, though for anyone familiar with the struggle of balancing identity, family, pride, and vulnerability - or anyone who wants a crash course in cookery - this movie does have several moments recognizable enough to make you smile.

Pleasant But Dull and Predictable

[meaninglessbark · 4/10 · 25 April 2016]

Here's a review for those of you wondering if you should take the time to watch this film...

Eat With Me is a fine choice if you want to watch something pleasant and mild that lacks any real drama or anything that might cause you to think. It's a good looking film that's generally well acted, but it's so barely there that it's rather forgettable and if you're intolerant of clichés you'd probably best avoid the film.

There's a gay son who can't commit to love and whose career is failing, a middle aged mother who is finding herself for the first time, a wacky next door neighbor who spouts off free spirit follow- your-bliss blah blah blah, and another gay guy who definitely seems too nice to want to be with the self involved main character.

Other than the mother, who is the strongest and most interesting character, most of Eat With Me is unbelievable or pointless. Even the required gay film boy on boy action is the usual frantic "WE MUST MAKE LOVE NOW!" thrashing about. (No naked, just pretty upper bodies.)

There is a nice (though a little silly) cameo from George Takei who more or less magically shows up and makes some sage comments about same sex love to the mother.

How to make 95 minutes seem like an eternity

[ecobiker-00710 · 2/10 · 15 April 2016]

I'm afraid that I did not enjoy or even see the point of this film, which grew out of a well respected 2003 short.

The film gets a second star only by virtue of the relative diversity of its cast and the unusual focus on an older Asian-American woman as a main character. Nevertheless, the way that another main character's sexual orientation was addressed felt a lot more dated despite its 2014 vintage. For instance, although the film takes place in Los Angeles and its immediate suburbs, a character describes hearing about "Those People on the news" (you can practically hear the capital letters) as though she had not been exposed to popular culture (much less a contemporary newscast or even a gay neighbor) for the last thirty years.

As others have pointed out, the pacing is unbearably slow and the delivery of lines is wooden. Pretty much all elements of every story arc make no sense or are painfully contrived: the son's fancy apartment in view of his rundown Chinese takeaway; the late-in-the-film revelation by his colleague of her mother-like interest in him (if their interactions over the previous 75 minutes constituted maternal attention, I feel sorry for her unborn child); and the ability of just three kinds of dumplings (including -- wait for it -- chicken and THAI BASIL!) to turn around a failed business. Even the love interest's accent was off, falling awkwardly between generic "British" and a quite distinct Australian twang.

Nicole Sullivan is a highlight but even she might be drawn a bit too clichéd for my liking.