“The Dinner” (** out of four) was a disjointed melodrama about two sets of parents (Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Steve Coogan, Rebecca Hall) who meet to converse about life and discuss about a horrific crime their sons have committed. Despite good performances, this film often feels like desaturated Woody Allen and Robert Altman and may have worked better on the stage. Film brings up some provocative ideas about politics and privileged family ties but end result isn’t satisfying because script is meandering and unfocused. A disappointment from director Oren Moverman who directed “The Messenger” and a disappointing reunion for Gere and Linney who through off a lot more sparks together in “Primal Fear.”