Although criminally overlooked, Dinner in America is one of the best films of recent years. Written and directed by Adam Rehmeier, Dinner in America is a punk-rock love story that charts the chaotic connection of Patty (Emily Skeggs) and Simon (Kyle Gallner). Set within dreary suburban America, the film joins punk rocker Simon (Gallner) who finds himself on the run again after a bout of arson. A chance encounter with the spirited and socially awkward Patty (Skeggs) provides him with a place to lay low. As the two embark on a series of misadventures, they begin to realise that they have more in common than they first expected.
Much like the relationship between Patty and Simon, Dinner in America sneaks up on the viewer. Initially confronting, Dinner in America surreptitiously morphs into something weirdly beautiful. The opening moments are a cacophony of gross meat consumption, vomiting, and a bombardment of vicious bullying. As the viewer follows each character in tandem, the loneliness of both is evident. Simon’s abrasive take-no-crap attitude continually alienates him. Life for Patty is not much better. She is coddled by her parents and routinely ridiculed by local teenagers. In Patty’s journey especially, Rehmeier captures the malice of the modern world, accurately reflecting the secret rotten underbelly of suburbia.
Patty and Simon’s chance meeting in the alleyway behind Patty’s work is the catalyst that changes Dinner in America. In Patty, button-pusher Simon finds someone who does not react to his outspoken actions. Patty’s resilience to his jibes causes Simon to soften; instead of being mean to Patty, Simon assumes the role of her protector. With this encouragement from Simon, Patty starts to appreciate her own worth. Then, as she begins to assert herself, Patty’s true self is revealed and it becomes apparent that these two are kindred spirits.
What makes Patty and Simon so intoxicating is that they are outliers. Neither fits in with their suburban surroundings. Everybody has felt at odds with the world at some point, and this shared experience helps form a bond. However, it is the performances of Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs that truly sway the viewer. Although Patty and Simon’s charming qualities are within Rehmeier’s script, it is Gallner and Skeggs that make them whole. The two inhabit these characters so beautifully that it is hard to know where they end and the actors begin.
During interviews, both Gallner and Skeggs have shared their kinships with their characters. Emily believes her younger self to have been as awkward and unsure as Patty. It was this affinity that drew her to the role. Similarly, Kyle has gone on record expressing how alike his and Simon’s upbringings were in terms of music, and the hijinks that he and his friends got up to. By linking so much of themselves to the on-screen pair, Patty and Simon feel more authentic than characters from other films. Their admiration and respect for their fictional personas is infectious, and without realising it, the viewer suddenly has two new ride or die BFF’s.
Patty and Simon are uniquely original creations; nothing about them conforms to conventional norms. Their burgeoning romance is heartwarming, but Rehmeier achieves cohesion of these soulmates without any of the conventional schmaltz. At no point during their courtship do they fall into the trap of traditional rom-coms cliches. A perfect example would be their first kiss, which occurs in a diner after they have devoured greasy burgers. It is not the expected picture-perfect setting. Neither of them is perfectly coiffed and there is an awkwardness to their encounter. And yet it is this authenticity, this presentation of them as ‘normal’ people, that injects the scene with romantic sentiment.
Whilst being outsiders is a factor that attracts Patty and Simon, their true connection comes through music. Rehmeier is a huge punk music fan and therefore so are his fictional creations. Simon’s love of punk is indisputable. His appearance consists of trademark anti-establishment hair and punk-rock clothing. That he is a singer in a punk band comes as no surprise. Patty’s interest comes as more of a shock. Her wardrobe, likely picked out by her mother, is cutesier and more childish, but behind closed doors she loves nothing more than getting lost in the music of local punk band PSYOPS.
Whereas other girls have crushes on boy bands, Patty is besotted with the enigmatic ‘John Q’, the balaclava-clad lead singer of PSYOPS. Desperate to show her ‘music boyfriend’ how much PSYOPS means to her, Patty regularly anonymously sends him risqué photographs, free-form poetry and letters. What Patty doesn’t know is that her new companion is John Q. Similarly, Simon is in awe of his mystery admirer, but is unaware that she is Patty. Once these secret identities are revealed, their relationship acquires a more romantic hue; music having been the glue to bond them.
It is also music that ultimately makes the viewer fall in love with Dinner in America. This moment can be pinpointed exactly. Patty and Simon sneak into Simon’s family home to create music. As they collaborate an intense intimacy hangs in the air. In this setting Simon sheds his aggressive persona and allows himself to be vulnerable. As Patty sings, a single tear rolls down his cheek and it is the emotion of this precise moment that solidifies Dinner in America as a very special movie.
Rather than rely on nostalgia, Rehmeier populates his film with original compositions. It is not some familiar song that entrances Simon, but something new and bespoke. Much like the scene in the movie, during pre-production, Rehmeier and Skeggs created ‘Watermelon Song’. Rehmeier provided the music, Skeggs the lyrics. The words were originally a poem Skeggs had written in character during preparation for the role. Once more this personal loving touch feeds back to the viewer, seducing them further.
Dinner in America is raucous and rousing, confronting and cosy; a perfect punk-rock ode to self-empowerment and soulmates. Its sizzling script, heartfelt performances, and awesome musical poetry are balm to the soul. Steadily bewitching all that seek it out, Dinner in America is sheer perfection. Come join the cult.
