29ème rue

When I first saw this film many years ago I had no idea it was based on the true story of how Frank Pesce Jr. won the lottery, so it came as a bit of a surprise when I bought the DVD a couple of weeks ago and found out that it was. It's a lovely, funny, poignant film about the relationship between father(Aiello) and youngest offspring (LaPaglia). As a seasoned film actor Aiello puts in a solid performance. More interestingly LaPaglia who must have been approx 34 and hadn't yet made those many films up to this point is staggeringly good at portraying Frank Pesce from age 16 to mid twenties. This is definitely one of his classier performances. I particularly liked the running joke about the father's pizzas. Also of interest is that the real life Frank Pesce plays his own older brother!! All in all the film is a little miracle.

Although not highly rated by critics, this film has a great story with both poignant and funny moments. An excellent cast, I would recommend it to anyone. If you're an East coast born and bred Italian American, you'll especially love the ethnic comedy that many of us have seen or lived through. Danny Aiellos' portrayal of the out-of luck father is one of his better performances in this "based on a true story" tale. It will finally be available on DVD in 2005, and is great to watch around the holidays since the main storyline occurs at Christmas. The tag line on the packaging is right on stating it's "Goodfellas meets It's A Wonderful Life." This movie proves that the critics aren't always right!!

I have always liked this film. Imagine my surprise when I found out my

wifes uncle is in the movie! He plays Irv the pawnbroker. I had seen it a bunch of times before I found this out. He is the guy who sells Frank the lottery ticket. There are some great scenes in this film. The one where they are going to pick up the insurance check for their car that was "stolen" Ha! Ha!. is a classic. I have always liked Danny Aiello. He is one of the great Character actors of all time. And Anthoney Lapaglia is a solid actor also. The real Frank Pesce is also in the movie. You might recognize him from Beverly hills Cop with Eddie Murphy and other films of the like.

Well here it is Christmas Day and I was just flipping through the channels. We don't have cable, so there wasn't much to choose from. I happened to stop on the end of a showing of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and by chance I decided to see the next movie that was showing-29th STREET.

This is a great movie, 10 out of 10. I have to say that first of all. I'm assuming this isn't the most well known of movies because it's not something I've ever heard of. I recommend it though. Despite some rough language (which was edited out of the tv viewing I got to see), it is a great family film. Did you like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING? This film manages to capture that same ethnic family feeling, though in this film it is Italian, not Greek. The family, with Danny Aiello as the father, is charming in all it's quirkiness. I laughed a lot at the subtle humor that came out of the daily lives of the Pesce family.

The acting in the film is terrific. The characters are well developed in the writing and the actors used this to the fullest in bringing them to life. I was amazed to see that Frank Pesce actually plays in the movie in a fairly large role as the brother Vito. He does a good job. Anthony LaPaglia is excellent too. You'd think he'd really grown up in NYC with that accent of his.

If you happen to catch this on tv or see it at a movie rental place, don't pass it up. The story is simple-the world's luckiest man as he grows up. The ending runs high with emotion as you come to see the results of the decisions that this lucky man and his family makes. In the end though, it's a great holiday film, showing the true love that families have. It's great to see men (fathers) with lots of love and emotion for their families!

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My whole family from young to old have LOVED this movie. It is always a tradition in our household to watch 29th street at Christmas time, although it can be watched at any time of year. I just love it when people tell me they haven't seen this movie, and I get to show it to them...because it has the best ending ever! Just thinking about it now, gives me goosebumps. It is one of the best "feel good" endings I have ever seen. Don't worry I won't say what happens! Danny Aiello is wonderful as the father who is cursed with bad luck and Anthony LaPaglia is the best I've ever seen him as the son who is cursed with good luck. Some scenes are hilarious and others will break your heart. Just writing this out makes me want to watch it, and I just think I might!