Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven (2007)

This documentary about Le Cirque, formerly the center of New York's restaurant world, truly tried my patience.

We spend the first chapter in New York, with '80s footage of the original location fawning over its star patrons (news personalities, politicians, and actors). That's interesting, just from a history standpoint, but probably would've been more so if I were either a New Yorker or had visited the restaurant at some point.

We eventually make our way to Las Vegas, were the Maccioni family -- ruled with dismissive annoyance by Sirio -- is working to get a new location of La Cirque off the ground. If this were just a focused look at the mechanics about the work that goes into opening a large-scale restaurant, I think this could have been fascinating. But this was more about the Macccioni clan itself and their petty squabbles between spoiled adult children and the struggle to maintain dignity in the face of a demeaning father who must have his way, even when it's obvious to everyone else it's the wrong way.

Not an enjoyable family with whom to spend any time -- even the short 78 minutes this film ran.

D