Watch Dinner with Fred

Dinner with Fred is a heartwarming indie movie released in 2011 that showcases the beauty of human connection and the power of second chances. The film follows the story of Drew (Adam J. Harrington), a young man who has drifted aimlessly through life since his divorce, and Fred (Scott Lowell), an elderly man who Drew accidentally hits with his car. Despite their initial confrontation, the two become unlikely friends, and Drew eventually ends up attending dinner with Fred.

The story is set in Los Angeles, where Drew works as a handyman, struggling to make ends meet while dealing with the aftermath of his failed marriage. One day, while driving home from a job, he accidentally hits a pedestrian who turns out to be Fred, a retired professor who lives in a run-down apartment complex. Drew offers to help Fred with his groceries, and from there, they strike up an unlikely friendship.

As the movie progresses, Drew learns more about Fred's life and the challenges he has faced, including being disowned by his family when he came out as gay, and losing his partner to AIDS. Despite the challenges he has faced, Fred maintains a positive attitude towards life and chooses to see the good in people.

The movie is not just about the friendship between Drew and Fred, though; it also explores the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the power of community. We see how Drew's relationship with his ex-wife, Rachel (Austin Highsmith Garces), improves over the course of the movie, as he learns to let go of his bitterness and accept his role in the failure of their marriage. We also see how Fred's relationship with his estranged sister, Carol, is mended, and we see the positive impact that Fred, Drew, and the other characters in the movie have on the community around them.

One of the most impressive things about the movie is the way it tackles serious themes while maintaining a light-hearted tone. There are moments of sadness and tragedy, but they are balanced out by moments of humor and warmth. The movie never feels preachy or heavy-handed, but rather it trusts the audience to draw their own conclusions about the themes it explores.

The acting in Dinner with Fred is superb, with Adam J. Harrington giving a standout performance as Drew. He manages to convey the character's pain and disillusionment without ever becoming unlikable, and his chemistry with Scott Lowell is palpable. Lowell himself is excellent as Fred, bringing a dry wit and gentle charm to the role that makes him instantly lovable.

Austin Highsmith Garces is also impressive as Rachel, bringing depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. The rest of the supporting cast is also strong, with each character feeling fully realized and integral to the story.

Visually, the movie is a love letter to Los Angeles, with the city's gritty charm captured beautifully by cinematographer Richard Vialet. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with a mix of original songs and classic tracks that perfectly complement the movie's tone.

Overall, Dinner with Fred is a touching and uplifting movie that reminds us of the importance of human connection and the power of forgiveness. It is a movie that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside and is a must-watch for anyone who loves feel-good stories of redemption and second chances.

Dinner with Fred is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.