An absolutely first-rate cast is cut adrift in a sea of laboured, overwritten dialogue in this disappointing drama. Adapted by director Oren Moverman (Oscar-nominated for the screenplay of The Messenger) from a novel by Herman Koch, the film is laboured and theatrical to the point of indigestion.

The dinner itself is crisply toxic – a tense meeting between political rising star Stan Lohman (Richard Gere) and his virtually estranged brother, Paul (Steve Coogan), and their respective wives, Katelyn (Rebecca Hall) and Claire (Laura Linney). The fawning of the staff only serves to heighten the tensions at the table as they skirt around the subject they need to discuss – the violent crime committed by their children.

If the focus had remained in the restaurant, as a savage four-hander, it might have been more potent. But the film is diluted by indulgent flashbacks both to the crime and, somewhat redundantly, to Stan and Paul taking a trip to Gettysburg. A story strand that explores Paul’s deteriorating mental health gives Coogan the chance to stretch his legs into a challenging role, but slows an already plodding story to a near standstill.