The Opera Lover

I discovered this awful flick on imbd by accident while doing a search for Ken Russell's "The Music Lover". When I read the "storyline" (a generous characterization on my part) for "The Opera Lover" I recalled seeing it (or portions thereof until I turned it off in agony) on probably the same late night cable channel another reviewer did. This flick should really be picked up by MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000) as one of the really bad movies the poor souls are forced to watch as they drift endlessly through the cosmos.

The acting...be that as it may...is laughable and wouldn't even cut it for 3rd rate community theater. The "tenor" and star of the joke is an overweight trucker who rediscovers a lost love (I'm guessing it's a spoof of an opera diva) when she comes to town during an undefined concert tour. Along the way we see the "star's" family trying to fill in the blanks while they stumble through this tedious waste of film. The only somewhat...tolerable...character is the alcoholic dad who mumbles unintelligible words of encouragement to the star struck son. Yes, it's a mishmash of an undertaking to say the least. If you're a total masochist and/or related to the would-be actors then by all means watch it.if it ever emerges again on late night TV. If none of the above, save your time and watch a Petticoat Junction rerun; you'll find it infinitely more professional and still worth a chuckle.

Very entertaining, with an actual story line that made sense and even a surprise happy ending. Loved the dialogue too. Tom Bastounes is too cute!! Sorta a Bill Pullman type but with a great voice. Hope he does more.

What a wonderful film! Basically unknown actors who can act and write and direct!! This film was a pleasure to watch and it made me wonder why they haven't put another film together? The dialog is superb. Such lines as the lead, Tom Bastounes, who also co-wrote the script, saying to his long lost love, played by Monica Zaffarano, "You've haunted me for 15 years. Why don't I haunt you." I saw this movie on Showtime. If you get a chance to view it, do so. As it did me, it will make you say, Bastounes, Zaffarino. Who are these people? Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this film. Hats off to these filmmakers and others who are bucking the system and creating engaging independent films in the Midwest. Between this and a rather disturbing Dogma 95 film that I saw at the Montreal Film Festival earlier this year (shot in Chicago--missed the first 10 minutes--title anyone?), I'm shocked that there is not more of an active independent film community in Chicago. There's talent there, I think.

What a treat! This so-called sleeper (only because its low-budget with a cast of unknowns) is an eye-opener. Why can't there be more movies like this one? Original dialogue, fine acting and a moving story of a man having trouble getting his life in focus. The music, nicely distributed, is glorious. My sympathies and interest were fully engaged. There are wonderful contrasts between the sophisticated concert world and the work-a-day demands of a produce company. Questions of satisfying romantic attachments, personal accomplishment, familial relationships are all dealt with...with just the right amount of humor and pathos. Rent this lovely film and give yourself a delightful filmic experience!