True Love (1989/I)

Director:

Nancy Savoca

Writers:

Nancy Savoca (writer) &
Richard Guay (writer)

Release Date:

15 September 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Donna and Michael are getting married. But first, they have to plan the reception, get the tux, buy the rings...

Plot Keywords:

Uncertainty | Lingerie | Hangover | Bar | Strip Club

Awards:

4 wins & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 16

12:10 PM

SHOW

Cast

Annabella Sciorra	...	Donna
Ron Eldard	...	Michael
Aida Turturro	...	Grace
Roger Rignack	...	Dom
Star Jasper	...	JC
Michael James Wolfe	...	Brian (as Michael J. Wolfe)
Kelly Cinnante	...	Yvonne
Rick Shapiro	...	Kevin
Suzanne Costollos	...	Fran
Vincent Pastore	...	Angelo (as Vinny Pastore)
Marianne Leone	...	Carmella
Marie Michaels	...	Chickie
Anna Vergani	...	Grandma
John Nacco	...	Benny
Ann Tucker	...	Barbara

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:L | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

J&M Entertainment

Quotes:

Michael: [posing for a photo] Everyone say, "Wedding nightmare"!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Semi-Pro (2008)

True Disappointment

This film has been lauded by critics everywhere, from Leonard Maltin to the acclaimed American Cinema series, so I was truly disappointed when I sat down and watched it. Granted, it's an indie film by a first-time director (Nancy Savoca), and I'm not an Italian American (removing a possible bond to the film) so I couldn't expect a divine epiphany. But the film did not meet any of my high expectations for it (I suppose I should have learnt long ago not to have those;) The plot was passable, though some of it was very unconvincing. I think the acting made it much worse than it would have othewise been. Annabella Sciorra was a standout; she was pretty much the only bright spot of the film. Her character's parents and friends weren't all that bad either, but any acting quality ended there. Ron Eldard left much to be desired. His character was unrealistic, had no distinct personality, and was *beyond* overdramatized. His immaturity and crudity were overplayed, and his friends were cardboard, without much decipherable distinction between them. I had a hard time believing she would even marry him after most of his antics, which seemed excessive and unbelievable. Not unbelievable in the sense that it couldn't have happened to anyone, but moreso that his character seemd to swing too wildly back and forth between an moronic irresponsible teenager and a future groom with issues to work out. As well, his mother's apathy towards his antics (especially as she sits passively and watches him running repeatedly to the bathroom to throw up after a night of drunken revelry) seemed completely unrealistic. Lack of subplots also contributed to this film's problems. The attraction of one of Eldard's friends to one of Sciorra's is never properly realized, and his sudden proposal to her has no justification and seems absolutely ridiculous As well, there are quite a few other little side scenes like that one that suspend the realm of reality to the viewer. The characters felt one-dimensional, they were never properly developed (save, perhaps, Sciorra's character). This made it even more difficult to relate to them, and to the film. Overall, this film could have been much more lucid, instead it falls quite flat. There are many worse films of its type, but comparing it to Moonstruck or calling it 'one of the year's best films' (both comments are on the box) is more than far-fetched. 5/10.