MovieChat Forums > Puccini for Beginners (2007) Discussion > So smart and funny!

So smart and funny!

posted 18 years ago by naughty
7 replies | jump to latest

I saw this film in its premiere at Sundance, lucky me! It is
laugh-out-loud funny with brilliant, Woody Allen-like rants on modern
love, sex and relationships. Of course it's very hip to have a love
triangle that crosses homo/hetero boundaries, but in the end, Puccini
is more about what it is to be women and men -- and people, really --
in this sometimes confusing day and age. The film is also a total
valentine to New York with beautiful cinematography, incredible
locations, and smart, witty characters that you wish were your best
friends. Tina Benko as Nell turns in an incredible performance that had
the audience clapping at her hysterically dramatic final exit. I think
Gretchen Mol runs away with the film as a modern day Carole Lombard,
full of grace, humor, and wispy neurosis, but Elizabeth Reaser has a
kiss with hunky Justin Kirk that is beyond hot! No wonder Sundance is
such a fan of Maggenti's. I will see this film again in the theaters
for sure!

[–] jesusclownies 18 years ago

I thought it was ridiculous.

[–] pgar 17 years ago

Hahaha, that's really funny... well done jesusclownies. However, I must admit I'm quite interested in checking out this flick. For some strange reason I have an affinity for unconventional romantic comedies. But it's totally platonic, I swear.

[–] plaidpotato 17 years ago

Naughty, did you get paid to write this review? Or were you in some way involved with the film's production? I don't believe you're just some person who went to see this film. You reek of phoniness.

[–] dathaler 17 years ago

Gotta agree with plaid...the flowery borderline-pretentious language is over-the-top.

Frankly, I found this movie boring. I couldn't wait for Reaser to get busted for the sake of knowing the film was gonna end soon after. It's hard to feel sorry for Reaser who managed to get herself in a self-acknowledged "complicated situation", yet continues to unabashedly make nookie runs via subway. It's also hard to swallow the "happily ever after" of Reaser finally ending up with her "I'm not a lesbian" "girlfriend." Did the credits include Anne Heche as a consultant to Nicholson's role?

[–] makroncommander 17 years ago

I thought this was a pretty funny movie, a smart funny movie after a long time of all the Hollywood crap we've been fed.

[–] iryse 16 years ago

It started out cute, but quickly turned slow and I lost focus in the movie. I don't think the characters were totally sympathetic: I never agreed with Allegra seeing both the guy & Grace without some kind of mention. If you don't talk about it, then it's usually assumed you're exclusive and the couple were justifiably shocked when they found out they were both dating Allegra.

[–] Cameosis 16 years ago

I liked it. I thought it was pretty educated and witty.