User reviews

I saw this film in Marco Island. Our group of four seniors loved it. We laughed, got a little teary eyed, and just felt good. This is not just kiddy fare, as a friend said when she saw it in Grand Rapids. Her family's ages are 6-52 and she was thrilled that each of them had enjoyed it thoroughly. Seems everyone we talk to feels there are not enough films the family can see and enjoy together, and that have something worthwhile to say.

I do not remember where I picked up this movie a few years ago, supposedly as a Christian movie. Was I disappointed when I noticed that it is not even faith-based? Somehow, and this movie would have been perfected if THEOS would have been included.

But on the other hand, its message is of invaluable value for us, for not only an American society, which is drifting or has rather long ago drifted to the opposite of humanity, to mutual exploitation under the disguise of the American dream, the big story of prosperity and worldly success most of our current societies are hooked on. The sad news is that most of us walk in that mist and there is little hope to get out of that worldly hamster-wheel. What are the chances that we have a lost family member who can teach us life? Sadly dwindling small. But we all can access to JESUS CHRIST, no matter in which society we live.

I was once in this worldly hamster-wheel, travelling hundreds of thousands of kilometers a year and being responsible for many people. Then I found JESUS CHRIST and he led me out of this false world of self-exploitation. He gave me a new heart, a heart of flesh and not of stone. He was and is even (infinitely) better than this friend Uncle Nino, because He cannot only teach us to live a better life, but most importantly to get your focus on what matters eternally. He can do the same for you, no matter where you stand and how trapped you are in matters which do not matter.

We have all seen this movie many times before: The quirky stranger comes into the life of a harried person or dysfunctional family and causes havoc and in the process helps them learn the true value of what is right in front of them if they'd only stop to notice.

Hollywood has made this same story probably hundreds of times and we've all seen it in one incarnation or another more often than we can count. Sometimes the predictably of this age old story is just so much like ticking items off a checklist that you can't turn it off fast enough.

And sometimes the predictable, feel-good story is, instead, done well and with just enough original bits that it feels like that old, stretched out, faded, fuzzy sweater you just can't part with because it is just so darned comfortable and comforting.

We all know the formula of these films. We all know how it will end. But because Uncle Nino does it with such easy charm and gentle humor and none of the cheap, emotional manipulativeness most employ -- we just don't care!

It is nice to see Joe Mantegna do something other than the typical macho roles we are so familiar with and Gina Mantegna is so natural she inadvertently puts a spotlight on how most child actors have more 'the right look' than any real acting chops.

This is a very sweet movie with a wonderful message about getting your priorities straight. The Uncle Nino character was very well conceived and implemented. All three teen age characters are great. I especially enjoyed Duke Doyle as the "Bones" character. Anne Archer and Joe Mantagne are well cast. It was fun to see the father figure out that it was he that needed the attitude adjustment. The Italy scenes are beautiful and authentic as are the scenes from Glenview, Illinois. I had many laugh out loud moments as well as a couple teary moments. Uncle Nino helps the father character get back to his joy of gardening and I connected with this part of the movie. After I saw the show, I planted sunflower seeds and hope to plant them along my backyard fence. This is definitely a movie that I felt good when I left and I think you will too!

This movie really moved me. It was the first time that I wanted to go home and write the production company and thank everyone involved. It was also the first time I recommended a movie to everyone I could. It is a movie about focusing on what's really important in life, like family for instance.

This movie is well done, with characters that I felt I could relate to and that really spoke to me. I was sure it had been released nationally, but was surprised to find out it was only released in our medium-sized town, and only in two theatres! Everyone in America should see this movie! It is family friendly and has a real message, while still being very entertaining. If our country is serious about having quality entertainment, then it is time it gets behind this movie.

Go see this movie. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

The votes on this film are so out of line that they have to have been friends of the director or producer. The story line is passable and the actors are okay, but to get the kind of votes registered here suggests that any comment above a 7 should be totally disregarded. The Godfather wouldn't get the number of perfect scores on a percentage basis that this film did. I felt cheated after I went to see the film based in part on the high ratings and comments on the IMDb poll. The average score now is far lower than it was a few weeks ago, thank goodness; but I have a basic resentment that translates to this film--which is too bad because I really respect Mantegna's work. Avoid this one and go see his next film. I'm sure he didn't vote! And to think, I live in Glenview near where they actually filmed this. I wish it were better as a film; but most of all, I wish that someone didn't think they had to mislead those who use IMDb as a guide in selecting their films to watch.

Uncle Nino was great! We took our whole family and it was a joy to watch. As a second generation American of Italian descent myself, I was so drawn to Uncle Nino's character. He is my grandfather! The garden in the front yard! Music! Home-made Wine! Tradition! And family values! What a great family movie! Too many American families have lost site of traditional family values. This is a great movie for someone who has lost site of what is important. It's not the job, or the money it's all about the time with family. Too often we make our lives too busy to stop and just simply enjoy each other. This is a great movie to remind you of what you may be missing!

Bravisimo!!! We need more movies like this!

I just went to see Uncle Nino, hearing that the star, who lives in Illinois, was a neighbor of a friend. The feature is set in Glenview, IL, where it is sunny every day and never rains(!). Anyone who lives in Illinois knows what I am talking about. The film is so flat and trite that I was predicting the lines before they came out of the actors mouths'. Why do American films have to hit you over the head with their message? I suppose if you had elementary school kids, you could take them. Just don't expect to be entertained. Also, the number of positive ratings shown here are all written by people coming from one town in Michigan. My theater certainly wasn't packed. A handful of old people went along with me and my girlfriend. Maybe some others should post their true thoughts about the caliber of this movie.

The MOST AMAZING THING is happening here in Grand Rapids, MI! A tiny, shoestring- budgeted, independently produced film has absolutely CAPTURED the mind and soul of all who are packing the theaters in which it is being shown in very limited release. The movie is "Uncle Nino", written and directed by Robert Shallcross. Movie patrons are raving that it is the kind of movie that Disney used to make, that you can take you whole family (from your kids to your parents!) to see and not begrudge the $6 each and popcorn. The amazing part is that word of mouth alone is selling the tickets - there is no advertising, no studio support or hype, no money at all behind its success. The only thing at work here is pure enjoyment of a story about something with which we are all familiar - the importance of love and family. Even though one knows from the first frame how it all will end, getting the message in such a sweet and endearing package, without sex or off color language, is a pleasure that one doesn't often get in today's entertainment market. Fine performances by stars Joe Mantegna and Ann Archer deliver the story with wit, humor and insight. But it is Pierrino Mascarino who infuses it with its heart. As Uncle Nino, Mascarino, as the long forgotten relative who pays the family an unexpected and life altering visit, creates a character who, though flawed, irascible and naïve, is able to bring a family in silent crisis back to their center simply by demonstrating the power and importance of love. It is sad that neither my family in Lansing nor my family in Seattle can see and enjoy `Uncle Nino', because it may never reach theaters near them. But families Grand Rapids can still see it and bring their families, and even meet `Uncle Nino' in person!! Do it now before it is too late!!

This is one of the better films I have seen in recent years and the message that is brought out from watching it is much different than most movies. You feel great walking out of this one and it grabs you with its rare story seen in movies today. What is that story you may ask? Family is the answer. There are not a lot of films that come along and truthfully depict family life like this one did. It involves a family that is struggling to stay together when there uncle shows up almost out of nowhere. He teaches the family to interact and brings them together to become a unit once again. I enjoyed every minute of this fantastic movie and think that everyone should get a chance to see it. It is very truthful in its story and the family life that is simulated is very realistic to a modern family today. This is a movie for the whole family and can engage an audience of any age. There is one last thing that was rare about this movie no profane language is used, no sex, drugs, alcohol or anything of that matter. The film got a standing ovation when it finished by everyone in the audience and deserved even more. Everyone should see Uncle Nino.

This film is great!!! If you are in the Grand Rapids area you should definitely go and check it out. I am really looking forward to having this film appear Nationwide. It is a great family film so go and take your family you won't regret it.

We intended to go see another film, but hey: They were screening Uncle Nino for free, and Pierrino Mascarino (who plays the title character) was going to be there so why not go see it?

Man, was I ripped off. The makers of this film owe me two hours.

This movie was unholy bad. The scenes ran long. The dialog was ALL exposition. The character had half the depth of an inflatable kiddie pool.

And the screening, Pierrino Mascarino begged the slight audience to enlist their friends to fight the good fight for this kind of movie. If nobody come to see it, they won't make more movie like this. I sure hope Mr. Mascarino has a job lined up at a theme park somewhere, because this stinker is definitely not going to connect with any sort of audience. Not, I suspect, even people desperate for a feel good movie.

Yeck!

It has been too long in coming but am pleased to see that the travails of family life can be examined in a way not using crude language, that a husband-wife relationship can be examined without sex and that there need not be violence to portray a heart-rending story of an uncle's visit to the USA. This film is not old-fashioned in the least although it contains some of the old-fashioned values that used to be espoused on film but of late have taken a back seat. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience.

Uncle Nino was such a cute storyline and just a warm, fun, family movie.

When they played their first premiere, in Grand Rapids, MI, I went to the movie and the dinner/meet the cast afterwords, and they were all so nice! It was so much fun to sit down and talk to the actors. Oh, and Trevor Morgan is absolutely beautiful as well..

The storyline is so easy to relate to. You are drawn in by the characters and feel their emotions. The casting is great as well. I went and saw in while in was in Grand Rapids over 10 times, and almost cried every time. I HIGHLY recommend it to anybody who wants a warm, happy, meaningful movie.

Ok for family viewing together with.children period but bored parents will probably doze off. Unbearable clichés.

A wonderful movie about the importance of family! A must see for everyone! This needs to be released nationally.

The characters are so realistic that you'll see yourself, your friends, family and neighbors in many of them.

YOu may even relate on the relationships with the parents and children, with your own childhood. Parents just don't seem to understand and Uncle Nino offers an opportunity for this family to repair itself.

My husband & I saw this movie through an Italian-American organization in CT but feel it would be enjoyed by many people of varying backgrounds through out the country.

Urge your local theaters to bring this movie to you! You will love it!

Refreshing! I think Uncle Nino has a wonderful message that the entire family will enjoy and identify with! So glad to be able to go to a film that I think is clean enough to take my children to see. I wish more companies would film and show more of these types of films.

This film is more of what we need. It is very funny and heart-touching. But at the same time should not be viewed as "Clean" or "Kiddy", because those comments sound dull and steril. "This is a vibrant wonderful film about a family in transitional dynamics. They are about to come to pieces when Uncle Nino erupts into the situation and teaches them to love each other again," said Pierrino Mascarino. I've had the opportunity to interview him for the morning video news @ my school. He was VERY nice and down to earth. He does not own the film, he only plays Uncle Nino himself. SEE THE MOOOOVVVVIIEEEE!!!!!!!

I had the great opportunity to see this film with the friends and family of Duke Doyle last night. I really enjoyed viewing this film. It was so refreshing to see a film address the values of forgiveness and compromise in the modern American family. The film uses the universal language of music in brilliant fashion to bridge the gap between both culture and different generations. Joe Mantegna and Anne Archer are wonderful together as the heads of the Micelli family and Pierrino Mascarino will make you wish you had an "Uncle Nino".

It was great seeing both Trevor and Daniel in person at our showing. Continued success to this group of talented young actors!

Let's hope more of America gets to see "Uncle Nino"! BRAVO!

I am not a film critic, and this is the first time I have been moved to do anything like this, but YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS FILM!

I took my "tweenage" daughter (not quite a teenager, but not a "little kid" anymore either) to see this film on Super Bowl Sunday. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and are taking our entire family (including my Mom, whose father came to the US from Italy when he was a young man) to see it again this Sunday.

It is a great character study and critique of our society and the importance of family in these hectic times. I thought the acting was superb - how can you go wrong with Joe Montegna and Anne Archer - but Pierrino Mascarino was incredible as the title character. He captured hearts and captivated the audience with the subtleties of his performance. Two favorite moments: the way he held his hands while asking one of the characters to stop smoking; and the tears in his eyes which said what his ignorance of the language would not allow.

This movie needs to be distributed on a national basis. It is the best movie that I have seen in a long time.

Go see this movie. If it is not available in your town - ask for it! You will absolutely not regret it.

Finally, a movie with heart, without the sex, violence and foul language so common in movies these days. A wonderful family picture that actually said something - families are one of our most important assets and should be treasured! It had humor and drama rolled into a nice little package that let me leave the theater believing I'd spent my money well for once. I hope that many more movies like this will be made.

I run a adult foster care home. I took my residents to see Uncle Nino. All of them enjoyed the film very much. It is a very good family film. It brings to heart how many American families are like in this day and age. We need to get back to good family values.

My 14 year-old son asked me to see this movie with him. We both loved it. All of us could use this movie in our society today. How REFRESHING and delightful to finally see a movie where there is no sex, violence or swearing. This movie is magnificently done. The acting is superb, the messages are inspirational. I cried and laughed--"Uncle Nino" really tugs at your heart and makes you ask yourself some very important questions about your family and family values. My son and I brought the rest of our family to the theater to see Uncle Nino the next evening, plus the kids brought a few of their friends. All of us enjoyed the movie tremendously. Thank you, Uncle Nino! Bravo!