Uncle Nino

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.

My wife and I, both early 40's, and all four of our teenage kids (13-19) LOVED this film. So did the rest of the audience...they all laughed...and some cried...in all the "right" places. This one needs to be re-launched so I can tell my friends and family around America to run to the theater and see it, too!

This film helped reinforce what's really important in life--your family.

It was great to see the film focus on the shallow and insignificant nature of climbing the corporate ladder when put into the context of living life with those you love.

And lastly, the film really cemented the connection between the value of bonds between generations. We can learn so much from the elder members of our families and they can do likewise from the younger members. So often we tell ourselves "they wouldn't understand." Yet, we find both the older and younger generations do grasp much from each other--if only they take the time to try.

I saw this movie last night at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Director, Producer and Music Director were all on hand to answer questions from the audience after the show.

Uncle Nino is a story about an Italian-American family living in suburban Chicago which suffers--as the Director put it--not so much from being "dysfunctional" as they do from being "disconnected" with one another. Each of them is struggling with their own challenges in life alone: Bobby is having a hard time fitting in at a new school, Gina loves animals and wants a puppy dog, Dad is facing a lot of pressure at work, and Mom just wishes that everybody could sit down to eat dinner at the same time together.

Into their life steps Uncle Nino, a surprise visitor from Italy, who brings with him a passion for music, gardening, Abraham Lincoln, good wine, and his family--in short, all the simple things in life that really matter. While Uncle Nino's old-school ways seem a bit eccentric at first in the flashy world of modern suburbia, the Micelli family soon learns that his presence may have been just what they needed to help them re-connect with one another--even as Uncle Nino struggles to make a connection with a broken part of his own past.

Uncle Nino is an unabashedly warm-hearted movie and, as such, may not have a whole lot to offer the cynical movie-goer (you know who you are). Judging from the reaction of the Festival audience last night, however, the movie seemed to touch a nerve with a lot of people who were just looking for a movie with a positive attitude towards family and life. The Director, Robert Shallcross, even mentioned in the Q&A session after the show that he began making feature films because he was frustrated with the lack of movies coming out of Hollywood that he could take his family to go see. If you find yourself and your own family in the same predicament, then Uncle Nino might be the movie for you.

It is interesting to note that the role of Gina is played by Joe Mantegna's real-life daughter, Gina. And Uncle Nino himself is named after the music director's (Larry Peccarello) own Uncle Nino! Also, the Abraham Lincoln element was an idea of the actor who portrayed Uncle Nino, Pierrino Mascarino.

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!!