Dinner with Raphael (2009) User Reviews (2)

This is the Funniest Short Film I've Ever Seen!

[Joeybouk-1 · 1 September 2009]

The story is about a young man bringing his newly engaged fiancé to meet his family for the first time at a dinner. The only problem is that the young man's brother is a bit crazy…like, he thinks he's Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The short stars Richard Riehle (Office Space) as the drunk father and Michael Bower (Donkey Lips…nothing else needs to be said here) as Jimmy the crazy brother who thinks he's a ninja turtle. The writing and performances are hilarious. The entire piece is extremely smart, strangely subversive, and most importantly, laugh-out-loud funny. I've seen this short play at numerous film festivals and the audiences go absolutely crazy for it. I wish there were more great comedies like this out there. Bravo to the filmmakers. Anyone who doesn't like this, should stop being such a Quaker and learn to laugh. Stop hating yourself, and start loving comedy.

Perhaps the Worst comedy I have ever seen!

[jgrp1205 · 31 December 2008]

I have a great appreciation for humor and anyone interested in making people laugh. Before entering film school I toured with an Improv group for two years, and before that did stand up comedy. I know what it takes to make people laugh and I know that Dinner with Raphael is not funny. I can appreciate the occasional dirty joke, or even humor that is edgy, but it always needs to be in the service of wit. This short lacks wit and is a slap in the face to it's audience. "Have you ever been raped by a ninja turtle"? I don't know what kind detached moron would laugh at a line like that, but it is completely insulting to any one who understands the severity of rape. Another problem I have with this film is, there is no character to like. The Mother is a push over, the Father is an alcoholic, the Son's bad acting is to much of a distraction, the girlfriend is pretentious and also a bad actress, and the brother is to offensive and too over the top to relate to. What is wrong with the brother anyway? Is he mentally challenged, does he have turrets, and why is he being made fun of? The idea of bringing the girl friend home to meet the dysfunctional family is tired. This film is uninspired, cliché, poorly acted, and to offensive. If anyone reads this before they see Dinner with Raphael, do yourself a favor and see a better comedy like Best in Show, or any episode of Curb your Enthusiasm.