Mascarpone

So what have we here? "Mascarpone" is an Italian LGBTQ+ remake of "An Unmarried Woman", (well, perhaps not but we are in the same ballpark), as Antonio is dumped by his husband and partner of 12 years. For the rest of the movie he's basically having sex with a number of handsome hunks presumably in the hope that one of them will turn out to be Mr. Right. What little spare time he has he spends baking and looking for the perfect Mascarpone recipe until finally he realizes....

Well, that would be telling, wouldn't it. It's obvious the attractive cast were picked for their looks and not their acting abilities though the screenplay does provide a few laugh-out-loud moments. On the one hand, too explicit for mass consumption and on the other too coy, (no full frontals), for its intended audience so it's unlikely to find a market. Not bad exactly, just a bit ho-hum.

This film out of Italy deals with a man's fork in the road as he turns 30, uncertain of what his path forward is. Antonio, who has been in a relationship since high school with Lorenzo, is in for a rude awakening when he's suddenly thrust into the uncertain world of 'single hood' after Lorenzo unceremoniously dumps him after 12 years. Antonio didn't see this coming. He's now on his own, feeling his way without the life tools he didn't learn having been sheltered for so long. He meets some interesting characters along the way. Denis, though very different, becomes his closest friend, helping him to find work and a place to live. Through him, he meets Luca, a bakery owner who hires Antonio since he has expressed a strong interest and talent in baking. The writing is very good, as are the direction and acting. The three main characters blend well together despite their very opposite backgrounds and natures. They support each other and help Antonio to finally grow up and cast his own shadow rather than being in other people's. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, especially the interplay between the characters who grow to love each other.

This picture is somewhat reminiscent of 1978's 'An Unmarried Woman' with Jill Clayburgh similar to that film's Antonio. The ending scene of 'Mascarpone' especially reminded me of that '78 movie. Bravo!

This is a lovely Italian romantic comedy about a "kept" young gay man who quits a relationship and gains a whole new career and lease on life. Very handsome actors and a sex/love positive message, it is a gay valentine. You will have to see the film to know what mascarpone is. Well, I didn't know. I have watched it three times. A keeper. The anglicized name is Mascarpone in case you have trouble finding it.

Original name: Maschile singolare. Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance. Plot, Antonio is a 30 yo family man, whose life finds an unexpected twist when he's suddenly dumped by his husband, whom he depends both psychologically and economically: he needs to find a new place to stay, a job and a new purpose in life. Antonio finds a room in an apartment owned by Denis and starts to work in a bakery owned by Luca, while attending pastry school. Through this process he discovers that it was wrong of him to give up his independence for the sake of his relationship in the past.

Pros, I love the hidden meaning of this movie to not depend on other people. That's why I love the character of Denis, and he deserved better. Cons, I didn't find any comedy in this movie that made me laugh. Idk, maybe it's because I'm not the target audience.

Totally enjoyed this romp of a young gay man finding himself dumped by his lover and having to build a new life. It has some twists and turns and is always interesting to see how he will rekindle his groove. The story kept reminding me of AN UNMARRIED WOMAN, but this time with a gay perspective. The actors are all solid and not bad to look at! In the end, what remains is a stalwart screenplay that is not just entertaining, but also one that makes you think about your own choices along the way.