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.
Acting
Sirio's charm offensive—manipulative, magnetic, exhausting.
Direction
Rossi captures private family meltdowns like a fly on the caviar.
Director
Andrew Rossi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The original Le Cirque invented the 'power lunch' in the 1970s; Sirio claims he created the concept of seating regulars at preferred tables, now standard industry practice.
The film captures a dying breed of Old New York—when celebrities needed restaurants as much as restaurants needed them, before Instagram democratized 'seen and be seen.'
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