Melissa Galianos Movies
A case of mistaken identity turns a love affair upside down in this romantic comedy, the first English-language feature from French director Laurent Firode. Vanessa (Rachael Leigh Cook) is a young woman who is soon to be married, but as her wedding day approaches, she develops something of a wandering eye when it comes to men. Vanessa begins fantasizing about practically every guy she sees, and is driven to distraction by sexual thoughts. Eager to clear her mind, Vanessa stops by a church and confesses her lustful daydreaming to a priest. However, it turns out Vanessa wasn't really talking to a priest, but a carpenter doing repairs at the church. The carpenter quickly becomes infatuated with the attractive young woman with sex on the brain, and he wonders if she might be looking for a way out of her upcoming marriage. However, he also makes the mistake of telling some of his friends about his dilemma, which starts a wave of gossip about Vanessa and her fiancé. My First Wedding also stars Kenny Doughty and Paul Hopkins. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rachael Leigh Cook, Kenny Doughty, (more)
- 1998
Dreaming of becoming a famous blues musician, a young Finn leaves Helsinki and heads for Kansas City only to learn that his host family resides in nearby Canaan, a rural town where xenophobic locals treat him with contempt and suspicion. At first the upbeat Mikko Vihavainen (Mikko Nousianen) pays the locals little mind. After all, his host mother Bonnie Bruckner (Susan Almgren) and her boys are friendly enough, as is cute waitress Carly Malone (Melissa Galianos), the overprotected daughter of the town police chief (Michael Ironside). Mikko's dreams also sustain him. During the first half of Finnish director Pekka Mandart's feature-film debut, the tone is lighthearted and even humorous. However, the story takes a much darker turn in the second half when Mikko gets caught up in a convenience-store robbery that leaves two young people dead. With no apparent suspects, the police chief and the rest of the town charge Mikko with the crime. Their rage bursts into violence shortly after Mikko and Carly flee town. Going to Kansas City played at the 1998 AFI Film Festival as part of their European Film Showcase. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mikko Nousiainen, Melissa Galianos, (more)
