Mid-August Lunch – A Films We Like Release

Release Date: May 21st, 2010 @ The Royal

Rated G

Running time: 74 minutes

Gianni Di Gregorio (dir.)

Gianni Di Gregorio (story)

Simone Riccardini (story)

Gianni Di Gregorio (screenplay)

Gianni Di Gregorio as Gianni

Valeria De Franciscis as Gianni’s mother

Marina Cacciotti as Alfonso’s mother

Maria Calì as Aunt Maria

Grazia Cesarini Sforza as Grazia

Our reviews below:

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Mid-August Lunch Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mid-August Lunch is the kind of film that will very easily get overlooked.  It’s being released at only one theatre in Toronto (The Royal) amidst a slew of summer blockbusters, and it’s not one of those foreign films that demands attention, but rather a light comedy.  But these very reasons why it will inevitably get overlooked, are also some of the reasons why I think this is worth seeing.

Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio) is a bachelor who lives in Rome with his mother.  He is behind on several payments on their condo, but their super cuts him a deal.  If his mother can stay with Gianni, than the lost payments will be waved.  When the super shows up with his mother, as well as his aunt, Gianni reluctantly agrees to let them crash at his place.  But then a similar thing happens with his doctor’s mother, and Gianni’s left having to take care of three elderly woman, as well as his beloved Mama.  They all have various health issues, like having to take medication before every meal, and one of them is even allergic to cheese and tomato sauce – two staples of an Italian diet.  When the August 15th holiday approaches, Ferragosto, Gianni is the one who has to prepare the special meal.

From the opening scene, when Gianni reads The Three Musketeers aloud to his mother, we know this will be a funny, but equally sweet journey.  What makes it work so well are the wonderful performances by the elderly ladies.  Each one is endearing and hilarious, through use of speech patterns and facial expressions.

Completely believable and subtly hilarious, Mid-August Lunch is always entertaining and immensely charming.  Plus, it’s the perfect length at only 74 minutes.  This is a film best enjoyed if you are, or if you know those who are Italian.

___________________________________________________________________________Mid-August Lunch Review by Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Mid-August Lunch is a charming little Italian film about a man who finds himself with company over the Ferragosto holiday.  In exchange for keeping his lights on – months overdue on electrical payments – he agrees to have the superintendent of his apartment building’s mother, and aunt, stay with him and his mother for two days.  His doctor as well asks him to watch his mother, in exchange for doctor bills, so all of the sudden, Gianni finds himself with four elderly ladies to take care of.

Anyone of Italian heritage will love watching the interactions between the characters, understand the need to cook a great meal for your guests, as well as recognize the feisty personalities of the octogenarians on-screen.

For just about anyone though, Italian heritage or not, this is a funny and sweet film about ordinary lives and dynamics.  It’s well worth seeking out.

___________________________________________________________________________Mid-August Lunch Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

Loosely inspired by director and lead actor Gianni di Gregorio’s life, Mid-August Lunch is a very funny comedy about ageing relatives.  The lead character, Gianni, lives with his elderly mother at a condominium in Rome.  he is behind in several of his property bills, but the condo administrator will cut Gianni a deal.

Ferragosto, the mid-August holiday is coming up, and the administrator would like to go on vacation.  He needs someone to look after his mother while away, so he agrees to cut Gianni’s costs if he volunteers.  Gianni agrees, but is surprised when his administrators aunt comes as well!  Later, Gianni’s doctor needs someone to look after his mother, as he has to work overtime.  Now with four very strong-willed and rather particular elderly woman under Gianni’s roof, things really get interesting.  But as the holiday progresses, Gianni and the ladies begin a newfound friendship.

Mid-August Lunch is a thoroughly enjoyable film.  The older actresses play their roles really well, and steal every scene they are in.  This movie is particularly funny if you happen to be Italian, but even if you aren’t, you will still enjoy this movie.  I would especially recommend Mid-August Lunch to seniors, and anyone who likes spending time with people who are in their golden years.

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Mid-August Lunch Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

If you know and love Italian ladies of a certain age then you’ll love Gianni Di Gregorio’s absolutely charming film Mid-August Lunch (Pranza di Ferragosto).

Loosely inspired by his own life experiences Gianni di Gregorio plays Gianni, a middle-aged man living with his widowed elderly mother in Rome.  Struggling to make ends meet and pay his condominium bills Gianni agrees to board the building administrators elderly mother over the August 15th holiday in exchange for a reduction in his debt.  Gianni gets more than he bargains for when the administrator brings along his feisty mother, Marina and his Aunt Maria to stay.  If that weren’t enough, Gianni’s doctor asks Gianni to watch his mother, Grazia as well so he can take the holiday shift at the hospital.  Gianni’s Mama is not sure how all this is going to work.  To say that these four elderly woman are real characters and a joy to watch would be an understatement.  Their strong, individual personalities shine in every scene and the relationship and bond that develops between them is both funny and touching.

Filmed in Italian with English subtitles, Mid-August Lunch is just the right length at 75 minutes.  This delightful film was over before I knew it and I was sad to say goodbye to Gianni and his four charming housemates.  If you are Italian, or have Italian relatives or just enjoy very senor seniors then you will want to check out Mid-August Lunch.

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Mid-August Lunch Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Pranzo di Ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch) is a little Italian TV film about a 60-year-old bachelor (filmmaker Gianni di Gregorio) living in an old Rome condominium with his mother.  In order to write off his arrears in maintenance fees, he agrees to take in his super’s mother over the Ferragosto (mid-August) holiday.  His efforts to remain the gracious host are strained when the super’s aunt and his doctor’s mother join them, each with their own particular needs and wants.

As a person of Italian heritage, I especially enjoyed this quietly witty film, but it will appeal to everyone, particularly those with elderly people in their lives.

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Consensus: Completely believable and subtly hilarious, Mid-August Lunch is a funny, charming and uniquely Italian little film – don’t miss it.  Plus, it’s the perfect length at only 74 minutes.  ***1/2 (Out of 4)