Overworked executive Robert Micelli (Golden Globe nominee Joe Mantegna, Searching for Bobby Fischer) has little time for his loving wife (Academy Award nominee Anne Archer, Patriot Games), rebellious fourteen-year-old son, Bobby, (Trevor Morgan, Jurassic Park III) and twelve-year-old daughter, Gina (Gina Mantegna, 13 Going On 30), who desperately wants a dog. This disconnected family is transformed by long-lost Uncle Nino (Pierrino Mascarino, Tears of the Sun), an old world Italian who unexpectedly arrives on their doorstep for a visit. Nino's simple, old-fashioned ways make him a curiosity to the neighborhood, and an embarrassment to Robert. But, Nino is slowly able to connect with each member of the family, and teach Robert how to enjoy life's simple pleasures: good food, good music, and most important, La Famiglia! Uncle Nino is that rare family film whose simple story and gentle humor can be enjoyed by all ages. Winner of the Crystal Heart Award: Heartland Film Festivel. Bonus Feature: Interview with Joe Mantegna and his daughter, Gina Mantegna. Joe explores his Italian heritage and the importance of family. Joe and Gina also share their thoughts on this poignant film, and talk about working together for the first time.
The moment Uncle Nino (Pierrino Mascarino) steps off the plane on American soil, in this family tale, you know you're in for culture clash. But just how different are Americans and Italians? Charming moments in Uncle Nino--some comical, some tragic--answer this question. The tranquil Italian countryside that Uncle Nino leaves to visit his nephew, Robert Micelli (Joe Mantegna), make the Micelli family's Glenview, Illinois home look like a deadbeat, suburban nightmare. Uncle Nino's story hinges upon showing the viewer how dull the American daily grind can be, in hopes of reviving passion for family life. In this tale, Robert's wife, Marie (Anne Archer), misses her career-obsessed husband and struggles to communicate with their teenage son, Bobby (Trevor Morgan), who wants to play in a rock band, and daughter, Gina (Gina Mantegna), who longs for a puppy. One can instantly sense a craving for excitement in this bland household. When Nino arrives, fresh flowers appear in vases, the wine flows, and pizza parties start. Sure, Nino is a caricature, but he's there to make one stop and smell the roses, literally (he's a gardening fan). Though the film is clearly well-intentioned, the story is didactic and heavy-handed. Uncle Nino's sentimentality is undeniable, especially in the ending scenes. A heart-warmer is perfect sometimes, but not if one knows where the film is going from the start. For films that reunite disconnected family, it may be better to revisit some 80s pop classics, like E.T. or Goonies, because they push a similar message--don't knock the outsider, kids!--with more fantastic originality. The worst thing about this film is that it stereotypes Italians from the same American perspective it criticizes. --Trinie Dalton