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Puccini for Beginners (2005)

Puccini for Beginners (2005)
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A woman who loves opera finds herself playing a romantic version of musical chairs in this independent comedy from writer and director Maria Maggenti. Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser) is a writer who has been involved with Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) for some time, but Allegra just isn't willing to make a commitment. Eventually, Samantha decides she's had enough, and she not only leaves Allegra, she jumps to the other side of the gender divide and starts dating a man. While Allegra is none too pleased with Samantha's actions, she unwittingly finds herself following suit when she meets Philip (Justin Kirk), a college professor, at a party. After a few cocktails, Allegra and Philip end up in bed, and while Allegra is content to leave it as a one-night stand, Philip has different ideas, and goes so far as to dump his girlfriend to pursue a relationship with Allegra, even though she's made it clear to him she's not at all serious about him. At the same time, Allegra strikes up a new romance with Grace (Gretchen Mol), but she doesn't know all that much about Grace's previous lovers -- who happen to include Philip. Puccini for Beginners was screened in competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Elizabeth Reaser, Justin Kirk, (more)
Director(s):
Maria Maggenti
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Puccini for Beginners

A woman who loves opera finds herself playing a romantic version of musical chairs in this independent comedy from writer and director Maria Maggenti. Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser) is a writer who has been involved with Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) for some time, but Allegra just isn't willing to make a commitment. Eventually, Samantha decides she's had enough, and she not only leaves Allegra, she jumps to the other side of the gender divide and starts dating a man. While Allegra is none too pleased with Samantha's actions, she unwittingly finds herself following suit when she meets Philip (Justin Kirk), a college professor, at a party. After a few cocktails, Allegra and Philip end up in bed, and while Allegra is content to leave it as a one-night stand, Philip has different ideas, and goes so far as to dump his girlfriend to pursue a relationship with Allegra, even though she's made it clear to him she's not at all serious about him. At the same time, Allegra strikes up a new romance with Grace (Gretchen Mol), but she doesn't know all that much about Grace's previous lovers -- who happen to include Philip. Puccini for Beginners was screened in competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
82 mins

Complete Cast of Puccini for Beginners


Director(s):
Maria Maggenti
Writer(s):
Maria Maggenti
Producer(s):
Jake Abraham, Gary Winick, Eden Wurmfeld
Categories:
Comedy, Romance
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    Ronald F.

    I fully enjoyed the movie. I laughed a lot, so I thought it was successful as a comedy. Also, it had a message. The director's commentary showed that the message theme was pretty much an afterthought, but it worked well, nevertheless. There were some submotifs that didn't get played out, but were nevertheless interesting, like the character's comments on the surface morality of Don Giovanni's conclusion. Many a movie spoils itself by taking its own message too seriously. This movie did not. It should be accepted pretty much at face value. It's message is that your actions affect other people, even when you are just drifting through life. But, take it or leave it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Peter W.

    Allegra explores her lesbian curiosity, but can't fully commit, and this summarizes what's wrong with this film. Intending to be a romantic comedy, it never really commits to either. So it ends up enjoyable enough, but nothing special. While the actors do a great job, it's essentially Woody Allen for beginners, but it never really delivers. Pleasant enough if there's nothing else you wanted to see, but don't expect to be wowed. "Kissing Jessica Stein" delivers a similar tale with much more satisfying results.

    Yes   |   No

     
    CINDY N.

    If you are a lesbian this movie will make you mad. This was not a movie for Lesbians, it was a male fantasy movie. The homo no mo' in real life is not a funny matter..niether was this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
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