Dina (2017)
1h 43min | Documentary | Select theaters 10/6/17 (USA) | Dallas 10/20/17
Synopsis: Dina’s getting married in a few weeks and there’s still so much to do. She has to move her boyfriend, Scott, from his parents’ house to her apartment, and settle him in to only the second home he’s ever had, all while juggling his schedule as an early morning Walmart door greeter. She has to get her dress, confirm arrangements with the venue, and make peace with her family, who remain nervous for their beloved Dina after the death of her first husband and the string of troubled relationships that followed. Throughout it all, in the face of obstacles large and small, Dina remains indomitable. She’s overcome tragedy and found the man she wants and is bent on building the life for herself that she believes she deserves. Dina is unstoppable, a force of nature, and as the star of her own life story, she’s an unconventional movie protagonist the likes of which hasn’t been seen before.
Review: The documentary DINA from filmmakers Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles is an interesting peak into the lives of a middle aged woman and her fiancé as they prepare or marriage. This might seem like the most mundane and ridiculous premise for a documentary; and you would be right. Except for the fact that Dina is a character like none you have seen before. Unless of course you are related to one.
There were times in the movie when I wondered if Santini and Sickles were laughing more at their subject than with them. And that bothered me. The line between the two can be minuscule and to cross it is cruel. This isn’t dinner for schmucks. These are two people who live their lives without harm to anyone. Yes they are fun to watch and very entertaining but the viewer has to receive them with the right heart and understanding. I have not talked to the filmmakers and it could be that their motives were truly in good spirit. Which is probably the case.
Dina is on the poster and in the title but I must say that I enjoyed Scott’s (her fiancé) journey even more. He is in love with this lady and it is sweet to watch him talk about her and deal with the process of marriage. When he speaks of their engagement for example – he proposed at Red Robin – he has a shine in his eyes like the whole world came into creation at that moment. He has many insecurities which he timidly walks through. But his heart is for sure in the right place. In his own words, “I try. I might not always get the desired effect. But I sure try.”
Right or wrong it is a documentary that most adults will find endearing. For all the annoying tendencies that would drive you crazy in person it is hard to watch these two and not smile. DINA is unrated and has adult themes and language. I give it 3 out of 5 self help books. Certainly unforgettable.
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