Artifices & Spaghetti

30 January 2006. The decent, if not great or awesome, romantic comedy has a solid Italian flavor with Stanley Tucci with a so-so Italian accent and Bridget Fonda as the recently spurred and widowed wife that come together in this fireworks movie that contains an interesting (though not compelling) look at the explosive product storyline. Except for a confusing and disjointed wet piece of the letter that Bridget Fonda discovers though it is predictably tied up by the end, this is an average comedy movie that is light-weight but entertaining, worth a DVD rental price over the weekend with that special one. Six out of Ten Stars.

THE WHOLE SHEBANG is a movie made for television, a category that in some circles places a hex, but in the case of HBO films it is a definite plus! This little unpretentious story plays like a sweet foreign film like 'Life is Beautiful' and is directed (George Zaloom) with zest and played by an all star cast that makes it a fine evening's entertainment.

The Bazzini family of Neptune, New Jersey owns a fireworks business in competition with the Zito family whose entrepreneurial instincts are decidedly more 'American'. The head of the Bazinni family is Pop (Giancarlo Giannini) and Contessa (Talia Shire) and the heir apparent is Frank (Christian Boucher) who is a fine pyrotechnician but is unfaithful to his non-Italian wife Val (Bridget Fonda). As the story opens Frank is perfecting the 'blue' firework and while working he is distracted by his latest lady conquest who diverts his attention causing the whole Bazinni Fireworks Plant to literally blow up. Though the family is devastated at Frank's death, Pop looks for the next head of the company to replace Frank, and at the wake the Zito family Lady Zito (Anna Maria Alberghetti looking terrific!) inserts her son Joey (Anthony DeSando) into an evil-planned courtship of the newly widowed Val in hopes of overtaking the Bazinni business.

Meanwhile, in Naples Italy we meet Giovanni Bazinni (Stanley Tucci, in fine form as a comedian!), a cousin to the American Bazinnis and a poor café musician unlucky in love and life. He repeatedly attempts suicide but each attempt is comically thwarted. His passion is for Maria (Jo Champa) a gold digger slut who dismisses Giovanni's affections with cold harshness. News of the Bazinni disaster in America arrives and Giovanni is sent to New Jersey to inherit the fireworks business. Once in New Jersey in flounders around the language and the business, is attracted to Val and to her son Bobby (Alexander Milani) and is adored by the Bazinni clan. In time Giovanni's good intentions often backfire (!) and the politics between the Bazinnis and the Zitos collide. The resolution of the story proves that honesty and family ties and creative perseverance result in happy endings.

The 'Italian gioio' created by this fine cast is infectious and each of the characters adds to the recipe with style. Tucci is in top form as are Giannini, Fonda, and Alberghetti. They make this rather slight script worth believing, never coming across as imitating but as embodying their roles. The frequent use of fireworks is joyous and well done and adds to the sparkle of the film. Not a great movie but certainly a solid one for a tender summer night's entertainment.

Grady Harp

This is a shockingly badly made movie! There are dozens of continuity errors, glaring ones, throughout. Could it be that nobody cared, not the director, not the editor, not even the continuity person (if there was one)?

Of the many instances here is just one example: Bridget Fonda goes out on a date. As she leaves with the man she is wearing a dress and her hair is styled a certain way. When they are eating in the restaurant she is wearing a radically different dress of a different style and color and her hair is completely redone.

Other such errors abound in profusion. I wonder how such a stellar cast of great actors, real stars, could be assembled and then such a careless effort put in by the filmmakers. It defeats the film. Great actors sound like they are just saying lines. Even Stanley Tucci looks like he is just making faces when he tries to put spirit or emotion into his dialogue. I expected this to be a good movie, and to like it a lot. Instead it took an effort to watch it to the oh-too-predictable end, which was itself very rushed and riddled with plot holes.

In New Jersey, there are two well-established fireworks manufacturers. Family Bazzini, led by Pops (Giancarlo Giannini) concocts many innovative designs and has the whole family, including his wife Contessa (Talia Shire) working in their large shop. The other folks, the Zitos, are helmed by Tough Mama (Anna Maria Alberghetti) and a bevy of sons. Yet, the Zitos are always out to buy or steal recipes from the Bazzinni's, because they recognize that Pops is a superior inventor. Also, their financial position becomes more precarious when Pops Jr dies in a tragic accident at the shop, while having a clandestine affair. His widow, Val (Bridget Fonda), blonde and smart, is not Italian like the rest but totally committed to the family. Her only child, Bobby, refuses to speak after his dad's death. Aha, Mama Zito, sensing an opportunity, sends one of her sons to try and get Val out on a date, and, perhaps, get married in time. Yet, other things may throw her off kilter. Pops, still grieving and angry at this lost son, writes to his family back in Italy and begs for a creative cousin to come take his child's place. This Giovanni (Stanley Tucci), thwarted in love, has attempted clumsy suicide after suicide, with no luck. A strolling cafe violinist, he seizes on this new invitation to change his life. Once installed in family Bazzini, its obvious that Giovanni has eyes immediately for Val and that he may be able to bring young Bobby out of his traumatic silence. More importantly, with the Zitos breathing down their necks, can Giovanni provide the spark needed to invent the "best" fireworks in the region? This lovely, sweet, and funny film is a total treat. Yes, there may be some stereotypes of Italian Americans involved but weren't there some in other movies such as Moonstruck? The cast is wonderful, too, with Tucci transforming himself into a bumbling Italian while its so fabulous to see Giannini, Shire, and Alberghetti on screen. Most lovely of all is Fonda, who made this movie her last. She looks so beautiful as the blonde surrounded by brunettes and she gives a most touching and strong performance. In addition, the scenery, costumes, lively script and direction provide a most enjoyable film experience. Want to add a bit of fireworks to your life some future evening? Get The Whole Shebang and sparks will light up your sky.

The whole Shebang is funny and sweet with wonderful fireworks effects! It does remind me in a good way of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I have actually had the opportunity to see the movie two times and enjoyed it very much both times.