Feast of the Seven Fishes

Why did I like this so much? It just has this charm that's so hard to describe. From smiling faces to festive seafood dishes, this hidden gem had a lotta heart.

Tony's story had such a mysterious depth, and though some was mentioned, his family-rich Italian environment did much to complete his character.

Beth's character was a breath of fresh air and brought such a grounded youthfulness to the home. Such layered histories and she was able to fit right in naturally.

Sure, there were slow moments. Brief side plots of possible immoralities & substance abuse which makes it not a movie for kids...but these did not derail the film.

It's a calm movie that reminds you of simpler times and surprisingly draws you in-- to Christmas and to the things which matter the most.

Tons of Xmas films make for the season but many are garbage. This one bring in the Italian cooking history draw more my attention. You know, love Xmas story has its patterns but this one bring something new in the movie, so it's different.

Feast of the Seven Fishes is a wonderful film with big laughs and big heart about a big family. This film brings out the togetherness of family that is essential at the holiday season, even while every one of the family members is uniquely individual. In spite of all their differences, they manage to pull together a fantastic family tradition of the Christmas Eve feast, while navigating the various small-town dramas going on around them. The film is charming. Be certain that you're not hungry when you start watching, though, or you'll be famished by the end of it. The food (as well as the setting and the characters) is very detailed and believable, and by the end of it you'll be hungry for a side of fish with your holiday cheer.

Everything! Yes Everything in this movie is spot on to 1983! Throughout watching I realized I miss this. We used to do 7 fishes feast. Once a year you saw family. ALL of your family. Obnoxious family. You weren't allowed to miss it! People talked too loud and smoked too much. We all said what we meant, and meant what we said, albeit politely. There were no computers or cell phones. Hell, there wasn't even caller ID or answering machines. So you literally had to blindly answer the phone and talk to people whether you liked them or not ..we'd spread the word of a party or what dive bar everyone was going to.. you'd meet up with everyone and get a ride by anyone who could. You'd cover some gas money and $$ for beer. If you were 14 you'd get into local dives. Nobody cared. And we had SO much fun. AND We DANCED all night! Your mom would say to be home by midnight but you'd get home at 2- 2:30 am. No one worried. You walked in the snow for miles and it was normal. 1983 was the year of MJ thriller, Purple rain, Lionel Richie, Bruce's Born in the USA. This movie reminds me of everything I lived. The good and bad. The obnoxious family especially. This movie took me home. I was raised just over the Ohio line directly west from Allegheny. I'm home here. I'm going to watch this again and again.

Born in NY and with a pronounced Italian side of the family, I can relate to this film and may find it more worthwhile than those who didn't live it. The "feast of the seven fishes" is real, the accompanying chaos that goes along with it is real, and the depiction here of a middle class Italian family at Christmas time... is also pretty legit.

The movie is filled with personal interactions spread over a two day period... brother and brother, son and blind date (AND ex-girlfriend), cousin and girlfriend, etc. Four generations meet and cook while the lives around them spark opinions and joy and melancholy. A nice film... if you like this, be sure to also check out Ray Romano's "Somewhere in Queens," a similar Italian family film which I liked just a little bit more.