Uncle Nino

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!

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!!

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.

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!

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.