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Puccini For Beginners (2006) Certificate 15

Puccini For Beginners
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Rated 3.0 stars
Average rating
(59%)
 
Starring: Elizabeth Reaser | Gretchen Mol | Justin Kirk | Julianne Nicholson | Tina Benko | Jennifer Dundas | Kate Simses | Brian Letscher | Will Bozarth | Ken Barnett | Becca Anderson | Ashlie Atkinson | Jill DeMonstoy | Yoshiro Kono | Nick Psinakis
Director: Maria Maggenti
Studio: TLA
Run time: 82 mins
Genres: Comedy | Romance
Languages: English
Released: October 22, 2007

New York writer and opera addict Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser, The Family Stone) loves her girlfriend Samantha (Julianne Nicholson, Kinsey), but can't commit. When Samantha leaves her, Allegra rebounds with handsome philosophy professor Phillip (Justin Kirk, Angels in America) as well as the irresistibly beautiful, recently single Grace (Gretchen Mol, The Notorious Bettie Page). Allegra juggles secret relationships with both of them, never suspecting that Philip and Grace have a connection of their own. With a sophisticated blend of humour and irony, this screwball comedy twists and turns with all the drama of classic Puccini.

Highest rated reviews

5 out of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 1.0 stars
poor poor poor

A Customer from england, 26th October, 2007

This had the capacity to be funny and endearing but was neither, it was hard to feel for any of the characters as they all had no emotional depth! Had trouble keeping awake to watch the end it was that bad.

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Rated 1.0 stars
What a pile of dirge!

A Customer from Huddersfield, 23rd June, 2009

I actually thought this looked like it might have the same kind of feel as 'Imagine Me and You' or The L Word but it wasn't. Don't waste 82 minutes of your life on this dross!! Can't anyone make a gay film that isn't a pile of garbage!

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*** May contain spoilers ***


Rated 3.0 stars
good film but abit messed up

max4kris from , 9th March, 2009

enjoyed this film, it just shows how easy it is to get in a mess when dating more than 1 person - it also proves you shouldnt run away from committment and should give relationships a chance. v. humourous in parts.

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Rated 4.0 stars
Frustrating But Good

PhatAss from from Southampton, UK, 10th February, 2009

This film is unique in the lesbian genre for being terribly frustrating throughout as the main character, once an open and confident gay woman finds herself dating both a woman and a man and enjoying both relationships, however it is a good film with a great ending and is definately worth a watch from any fan of the genre.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 3.0 stars
Not as good as expected

A Customer from Aberdeen, 15th January, 2009

On the face of it, this should have been a blast of fresh air to the romcom genre. In practice, its all too disappointing because the female players - Elizabeth Reaser, Julianne Nicholson and Gretchen Mol are fantastic but the supporting players and the male acting is insipid. Allegra can't commit to her girlfriend Samantha and has a rebound romance with philosophy professor Phillip and by chance meets the recently single Grace outside a weepy cinema outing. Allegra juggles secret relationships with both of them. This is where the film is supposed to get interesting but instead just floats along a little directionless. We root for Allegra but just see the others as supporting players rather than feel them as 'real'. The blurb for this film promised ' a sophisticated blend of humor and irony', well I'd disagree. The dialogue is wonderful in some places and lame in others. In sum, it's a film I'd watch if my choices were limited but not a film I'd entirely recommend to someone wanting a feelgood romantic comedy. The funniest characters are actually the Japanese Sushi chefs who feature two or three times when the characters meet on dates. A 3 out of 5. 2 for the film and an added 1 for an appearance from Julianne Nicholson who shone in Ally McBeal and in a glorious supporting role in I'm with Lucy.

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