Honestly, it’s rare to find a movie that feels like a messy, late-night conversation with a close friend over a bottle of wine. Robert Benton’s Feast of Love movie is exactly that. It isn't some polished, saccharine Hollywood romance where everyone gets a happy ending tied with a silk ribbon. No, it’s much weirder. It’s a 2007 ensemble drama that explores how love can be both a divine gift and a total, soul-crushing wrecking ball. Based on the 2000 novel by Charles Baxter, it features Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, and a very young Alexa Davalos, all navigating the rainy streets of Portland, Oregon.
If you haven't seen it, you’ve likely scrolled past it on a streaming service. It looks like a standard rom-com. It isn't.
The Oregon Backdrop and the Weight of Morgan Freeman
Most people come for Morgan Freeman. It makes sense. He plays Harry Stevenson, a philosophy professor on sabbatical who basically acts as the narrator and the emotional anchor for a group of interconnected people. He watches them. He listens. He’s grieving his own loss, but he does it with that trademark Freeman gravitas that makes even his silences feel heavy with meaning.
Portland serves as more than just a setting here. It’s a character. The constant drizzle and the cozy, dimly lit coffee shop—J.P. Coffee—where much of the action happens, create this atmosphere of intimacy. Director Robert Benton, who gave us Kramer vs. Kramer, knows how to handle domestic friction. He doesn't shy away from the awkwardness. He leans into the idea that love is often found in the "wrong" places.
Greg Kinnear and the Comedy of Romantic Errors
Greg Kinnear plays Bradley Smith. He’s the owner of the coffee shop, and frankly, he’s a bit of a disaster. He’s the guy who thinks he’s found "the one" every six months. First, it’s his wife Kathryn (Selma Blair), who leaves him for another woman. Then, it’s Diana (Radha Mitchell), a real estate agent who is actively having an affair with a married man played by Billy Burke.
Bradley’s story is almost painful to watch. It’s a study in desperation. You see him trying so hard to force a connection that he misses the flashing red lights right in front of him. It’s a relatable kind of pathetic. We’ve all been there, or at least known someone who was. His arc highlights a major theme of the Feast of Love movie: the difference between being in love with a person and being in love with the idea of love.
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The Raw Edge: Chloe and Oscar
While the older characters deal with infidelity and mid-life crises, the younger generation provides the film’s heartbeat. Alexa Davalos as Chloe and Toby Hemingway as Oscar are the true standouts. Their relationship is the most vibrant, the most physical, and ultimately the most tragic.
Chloe is a bit of a manic pixie dream girl on the surface, but Davalos gives her a grounded, almost psychic quality. She sees things others don't. She knows Oscar is "the one" the second she sees him. Oscar, on the other hand, is a kid from a broken home with a literal heart condition. It’s a bit on the nose, sure, but it works because the chemistry is so raw.
They represent the reckless, "nothing else matters" kind of love. The kind that makes you get a tattoo on a whim or spend your last ten dollars on a gift. Their subplot is where the movie gets its title—a reference to the Greek idea of agape and the more carnal, celebratory aspects of human connection.
Why Critics Were So Divided
When it came out, the Feast of Love movie didn't exactly set the world on fire at the box office. Critics like Roger Ebert actually liked it, giving it three stars and praising its "gentle wisdom." Others, however, found it too sentimental or even manipulative.
The main criticism often stems from the script’s structure. It’s an ensemble piece, so it jumps around. Sometimes, a storyline you’re really invested in gets cut short to check in on a character you don't like as much. But isn't that just life? You're in the middle of your own drama, and suddenly you have to listen to your barista talk about their dog.
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The Nudity and the R-Rating
It’s worth noting that this film is rated R, and not just for a few swear words. It is surprisingly frank about sex. It uses nudity not as a cheap thrill, but as a way to show vulnerability. When the characters are naked, they are exposed emotionally as much as physically. This realism is part of why the movie has developed a cult following over the years. It feels more "adult" than the PG-13 fluff that dominates the genre today.
The Philosophy of the "Feast"
Harry Stevenson (Freeman) provides the philosophical backbone. He talks about how we are all just "gods in the making" or something to that effect. But the real lesson he offers is about acceptance.
- Love is random.
- Pain is inevitable.
- The "feast" isn't just the good parts; it’s the whole damn meal, bitter herbs and all.
There is a specific scene involving a psychic and a dog that sounds ridiculous on paper. In any other movie, it would be a "jump the shark" moment. Here, it somehow fits. It reinforces the idea that love is mystical and unpredictable. It defies logic. If you try to map it out, you’re going to get lost.
Technical Details and Fact Check
- Director: Robert Benton
- Writer: Allison Burnett (Screenplay), Charles Baxter (Novel)
- Release Date: September 28, 2007
- Box Office: Roughly $5.4 million (underperformed against its budget)
- Music: Stephen Trask (who also did Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
The soundtrack is actually pretty great, featuring artists like Feist and Iron & Wine. It perfectly captures that mid-2000s indie-folk vibe that was so synonymous with the Pacific Northwest at the time.
Misconceptions About the Ending
Some people think the ending of the Feast of Love movie is purely tragic. I disagree. Without spoiling the specifics for those who haven't seen it, the ending is about continuity. It’s about the fact that even when one "feast" ends, another is being prepared. It’s bittersweet, but it’s hopeful.
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The movie suggests that the risk of heartbreak is a fair price to pay for the chance at real connection. It’s a high-stakes gamble. Most of us lose more often than we win, but we keep playing.
How to Experience it Now
If you’re looking to watch it, keep your expectations in check. Don't expect a fast-paced thriller. This is a slow burn. It’s a movie for a rainy Sunday afternoon when you’re feeling a little introspective.
Actionable Insights for the Viewer:
- Watch the Background: Portlanders will recognize several local landmarks, including the Hawthorne Bridge and various spots in the Pearl District.
- Read the Book: Charles Baxter’s novel is even more nuanced and includes subplots that didn't make it to the screen. It’s a great companion piece.
- Pay Attention to the Dog: The dog in the film, a Golden Retriever, acts as a silent witness to much of the drama and represents the unconditional love the humans are struggling to find.
- Listen to the Score: Stephen Trask’s music is subtle but does a lot of the heavy lifting emotionally.
The Feast of Love movie isn't perfect. It’s messy. It’s occasionally over-the-top. But it has a soul. In a world of CGI superheroes and corporate-produced content, there’s something genuinely refreshing about a movie that just wants to talk about how hard it is to be a human being in love.
If you want to dive deeper into films that capture this specific "ensemble romance" energy, your best bet is to look into Robert Benton’s earlier work or films like Magnolia and Short Cuts. These movies all treat the human condition with the same kind of messy, unvarnished respect. Track down a copy on DVD or find it on a digital rental platform; it's a journey worth taking for anyone who's ever wondered why we bother with love in the first place.