By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.25
Director: Gianni Di Gregorio
Starring: Gianni Di Gregorgio | Grazia Cesarini Sforza | Maria Cali | Marina Cacciotti | Valeria De Franciscis
Original language title: Pranzo di Ferragosto
Country: italy
Year: 2010
Running time: 75
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1277728/
Bruce says: “MID-AUGUST LUNCH is based on a solid idea but is hampered by a sloppy, unsatisfying execution. Gianni is a dutiful son confronted with dwindling coffers and an insatiable yearning for white wine. He lives with and cares for his aged mother, an old crone with little memory but a healthy appetite. The landlord is becoming impatient with Gianni; the rent has not been paid for months. It is no secret that Gianni has drunk the rent money. The landlord has frustrations of his own – he cannot go on vacation because his mother cannot be left alone. He comes up with an ingenious solution to both problems. Gianni can take care of his mother to work off the back rent. Gianni has no choice but to agree.
“When the landlord’s mother arrives she is not alone but accompanied by her sister, Aunt Maria, another woman who needs someone to keep an eye on her. Gianni’s mother’s doctor makes a house call and quickly figures out that he too has found a place to dump his mother. The doctor warns that his mother cannot have milk, cheese or tomatoes. Suddenly Gianni finds himself in the nursing home business. The women hardly notice the tight quarters. Gianni has little cash and worries he cannot even feed the ladies. Not to worry. His new borders have arrived with cash of their own and are willing to contribute to the common good. On the first night the doctor’s mother raids the refrigerator and violates all her food taboos. The landlord’s aunt becomes recalcitrant and says ‘I’m smoking, I’m drinking and I’m staying,’ just in case Gianni doesn’t grasp her intentions.
“The mid-August lunch is an Italian tradition and Gianni does not want to disappoint the ladies. He invites one of his wine loving friends for gender balance and serves a veritable feast. The women are enthralled with the food and the company.
“MID-AUGUST LUNCH is saddled with several problems. Gianni Di Gregorio who wrote, directed and stars in the film is not as engaging or charming as he would like to believe. In this film, the use of non-professional actors does not provide the proper level of subtlety that a story about the elderly deserves. The details of a story that should grab the viewer’s attention are not as carefully presented as they should be. Basically, MID-AUGUST LUNCH is a waste of time. 1.5 cats”
Thom says: “This was reviewed rather harshly by Bruce Kingsley but I found it rather droll. I left home with hopes of catching another film this day but the grand Black & White Ball preparations blocked many transportation routes so I went to this film out of convenience. It’s the story of a middle-aged Italian man who finds himself not only caring for his mother but three other feisty ladies as well over a long Holiday. There’s not really much to the film but it rather passed the time. The audience was 12 older ladies plus myself so at least it’s found its core audience. 3 cats”