The Engagement Ring

...this would be one of them. Sunny, cheesy and thoroughly enjoyable love-among-the-grapes farce surrounding two generations of volatile Italians in the Napa Valley. A bit schmaltzy, as you might expect, but not too much; and the script is excellent, with plenty of twists and some nice one-liners. Great performances from all 6 main stars (two triangles from different generations), particularly Lainie Kazan and Tony Lo Bianco as childhood sweethearts who never quite got together and have blamed each other ever since.

I had to put in my two-penn'orth on this one, because I've acted on stage a few times with the lady who played Nana, and it was great to see her in such a good movie.

It's hilarious when NY filmmakers make films set in Northern California, with Northern California based characters. They cast New York actors who have NYC accents and mannerisms. It doesn't work. People who grow up in California wine country don't talk like New Yorkers or wear gold chain necklaces. We've also never used the word "palooka." Please stop.

If you've loved at all in your life, you'll enjoy this film. Actually, you'll enjoy it anyway, but you'll understand every nuance if you've been in love. This movie dances with every emotion and dynamic one experiences in a relationship of any substance; love, hatred, anger, betrayal, hurt, humor, power struggles, pride, fear. It's all wrapped up tightly in this movie and presented in a tender, subtle, yet gripping way that engages the viewer and gently holds your attention until the end. The acting is great, the emotions are real, and the presentation is lively, interesting, and even informative. I can't remember when I've seen a better balanced film; each role is important in piecing the message together and everyone involved does a great job. Very enjoyable. I challenge anyone to view this film without laughing and shedding a tear.

This is a very refreshing movie. The story is good and the characters are well developed. A very entertaining romantic comedy. Tells the story of two Italian families. One of them, the "De Rosa" wants to buy the "Di Cenzo" land to make a blend of grapes to produce a wine.

The is a history between the families for a engagement ring lost in the postal office which makes the unwilling one to sell the land and the other one to buy it. Sara De Rosa, talks to Tony Di Cenzo to try to convince his uncle to sell his part of the land but he says that he will only sell the land if she ( Alicia Rosa Anselmi) returns the ring to him in his hands.

This proves to be not so easy to be done. First the is the husband(who is very suspicious of the love of Alicia for him) who thinks that is a consolation price because she never gives hi, "the look".

Then the is Sara's boyfriend and fiancé Brian who is talking in the cell phone all the time. Last but not least Tony Di Cenzo is a young man who finds that Sara is more interesting and beautiful than usual.

While they try to arrange the meeting of the two families, in the cooking, the wine drinking and the recipes they find love.

I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted comedy. Laine Kazan an Paticia Heaton made the movie work. The other actors were perfect for the script. This is the story of many typical Italian families. Grudges are held and in some cases, some people never speak to one another again. If they do "kiss" and make up, it will be spectacular.

The scenery was great, the food made my mouth water. I wish I could have tasted that wine Sara made. It sounded very special. Apparently agreed on by all of the family.

A think a follow-up would be another clever comedy which many folks could enjoy.