Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven (2007)

Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven Poster

At the end of 2005, New York's famed restaurateur, Sirio Maccioni, closed Le Cirque, destination of the rich and famous. During 2006, he and his three sons, open a new Le Cirque, taking four months longer and $4 million more than planned. The film follows this process, the new restaurant's opening, and the emotional impact of two New York Times reviews over the next few months. Maccioni, in his 70s, seems tired, chained to his work for his sons's sake; then, the restaurant opens and his indefatigable charm returns. It's a roller coaster ride. At the film's end, Maccioni, with a small Gucci bag on his hip, receives communion in a church in his home town of Montecatini Italy.

Film Overview
"Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven" is a 2007 American documentary film directed by Andrew Rossi. The film uses an intimate look behind the scenes at Le Cirque, among the world's most famous and beloved restaurants, situated in New York City. The narrative follows Sirio Maccioni, the dining establishment's charismatic creator and owner, and his 3 boys, Mauro, Marco, and Mario, through the phases of closing, moving, and reopening their dining organization.

Story
The documentary commences with Maccioni making the difficult decision to close Le Cirque's original area in the Palace Hotel due to lease concerns however pledging to reopen it at another area. Viewers are taken through the Maccionis' journey of dealing with the huge monetary and psychological struggles they face as they work tirelessly to reanimate their restaurant and maintain the flawless track record of their cooking empire.

As the narrative of "Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven" unfolds, the movie checks out much deeper, personal concerns such as the tension of bring the family legacy and the clashing generational views between Sirio and his kids. Maccioni, a staunchly traditionalist and dynamo host, considers the future of his dining establishment under his kids' management.

Cast and Representation
The Maccioni family is at the heart of this documentary, with intimate and authentic individual struggles shown against the backdrop of champagne, first-rate cuisine, and glowing tuxedoed service. The movie features a star-studded lineup of celebrities, consisting of former NYC mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, restaurateur Danny Meyer, chefs Jacques Torres and Geoffrey Zakarian, and other prominent personalities who contribute to the dining establishment's prominence.

Political leaders, film stars, and moguls like Bill Cosby, Martha Stewart, Julia Child, Sophia Loren, and Regis Philbin, appear in the movie, dining at Le Cirque or expressing their love for Sirio and his restaurant. These bits assist to show the restaurant's high-standing status in the New York City dining scene.

Vital Reception and Legacy
"Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven" got favorable reviews for its authentic and compelling stories of the household's dedication to their restaurant, a moving testimony to the power of food, family, and custom. Critics applauded it as an interesting, gorgeously-shot documentary, praising the mix of humor, drama, and mankind in the movie.

The film also demonstrates how crucial Le Cirque was and is both worldwide of gastronomy and New York society. It pays tribute to the location that has actually kept the city's high society dining for over years. In doing so, it likewise recognizes the crucial contribution of Sirio Maccioni, a revered figure in the New York and international restaurant scene.

Conclusion
"Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven" acts as both a homage to Sirio Maccioni's persistence and perseverance and a testament to the continuous relevance of his production. As much as it is a film about a restaurant, it is about household and the bond that food, custom, and shared struggles can produce. It juxtaposes glamorous scenes of rich and well-known diners with poignant, more intimate family minutes, exposing the human venture behind the veneer of high-end.

Top Cast

  • Tony Bennett (small)
    Tony Bennett
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  • Joan Collins (small)
    Joan Collins
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  • Bill Cosby (small)
    Bill Cosby
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  • Nancy Davis Reagan (small)
    Nancy Davis Reagan
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  • Robert De Niro (small)
    Robert De Niro
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  • Rudolph Giuliani (small)
    Rudolph Giuliani
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  • Michael Bloomberg (small)
    Michael Bloomberg
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  • Billy Joel (small)
    Billy Joel
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  • Henry Kissinger (small)
    Henry Kissinger
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  • Egidiana Maccioni
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  • Marco Maccioni
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