Feast of Love is a drama film directed by Robert Benton and based on the novel of the same name written by Charles Baxter. The movie is set in a small town in Oregon and portrays the lives of a group of friends whose paths interconnect in unexpected ways. The story is a meditation on love and its various forms, from the purest and most selfless to the most obsessive and destructive.
The film begins with Harry Stevenson (Morgan Freeman), a retired college professor, observing the people in his small town. He sees love as a magical force that brings happiness and comfort but also exposes people to pain and suffering. Harry himself has experienced both, having lost his wife and daughter in a tragic accident years ago.
The other characters include Bradley (Greg Kinnear), a real estate agent who is in love with his wife but is struggling to overcome his addiction to sex; Diana (Radha Mitchell), a successful businesswoman who is secretly in love with Bradley; Oscar (Toby Hemingway), a young barista who falls deeply in love with Chloe (Alexa Davalos), a troubled artist who is dealing with a recent breakup; and Jenny (Selma Blair) and Kathryn (Frances McDormand), a lesbian couple who are facing a crisis in their relationship.
As the characters grapple with their own issues and deal with the complexities of their relationships, Harry remains a steadfast observer, offering his wise and comforting words to those in need. The movie explores the different incarnations of love, from the innocent and playful to the intense and all-consuming, and shows how it can both heal and break hearts.
Feast of Love is a poignant and thought-provoking movie that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of love to shape our lives. With its strong performances and beautiful cinematography, it is a compelling meditation on one of the most fundamental and enduring human emotions.