Although the term ‘dinner party’ might imply otherwise, organising such evenings successfully does not rely on the food you serve but in the people you have around the table. Who you should invite to have interesting conversations that do not revolve around the possible food massacre happening in the kitchen is a tricky one. Taking upon the challenge, we have decided at The Edge to make our own very special list of guests inspired by film. Follow us in a bit of a cinematic fantasy: the good news is, we don’t actually have to cook…
1 & 2. Adam and Eve, Only Lovers Left Alive (Jim Jarmusch, 2014).
These are the cool kids to have round. They are picky with food and have to be kept away from too much blood. They have travelled the world more than once. They speak an endless number of languages and have read every classic in their original version. Most importantly, they know their music. Forget the pre-party playlist stress; there are no doubts they will be DJing the minute they arrive.
3. M. Nick, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Terry Gilliam, 2009)
Having M. Nick at the table with the previous two would prove interesting. Ultimate gambler, will he manage to tempt the lovers into a little game? Whilst it wouldn’t be safe to directly put money on it, what would happen if the man starts singing? Will he be the little drop of poison in their healthy blood cups?
4. John Milton, The Devil’s Advocate (Taylor Hackford, 1998)
Although playing in the same league than M. Nick, John Milton’s style is fairly different. He is an expert in toying with the vanity of the person he is talking to. The vampires might find him pestering, the other devil in the room will certainly find him annoying but all together they are going to be entertaining (up to the moment he persuades one of them to paint the whole living room green, but that’s another issue).
5. George, George of the Jungle (Sam Weisman, 1997)
Making sure to vary the tone of the evening, the next guest has a skill that fits the latest trend at the Edge’s film department: he does not only talk about monkeys, he also talks monkey. He will most certainly will make a mess of the place after a couple of beers. To keep things under control, any potential lianas are to be kept away from his sight. On the bright side, there is little possibility of him getting enrolled by M. Nick and Milton.
6. Jack Torrance, The Shining (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)
Throwing a dinner party also means thinking of the ones hidden away behind piles of books. Jack has clearly worked too much lately and needs a bit of a break or he will turn into a dull boy. Skillful writer, he might end up in a very passionate conversation about literature with Eve whilst giving Adam tidying tips for his mansion. If Jack kicks off, we can still count on him to make good cocktails and cut the cake.
7. Laura, Under the Skin (Jonathan Glazer, 2014)
Newbie in the human world, Laura could do with a bit of heads up on who she will be encountering. Just free of traumatising experiences with men, a good chat with the vampires about mankind might help her to comprehend the surrounding world. Lets hope George doesn’t start picking on her when she mentions the forest she left. Both M. Nick and John Milton will give her better keys to interact with humans than she previously had and, who knows, there even might be a potential romance starting with Jack. Well, unless he frantically starts to cut the cake.
