[.ca] True Love

From Amazon.com:
This amusing but uncomfortable story about preparations and rituals for a Bronx wedding, from the engagement party to the big day itself, is a patchwork quilt of comedy and drama from director Nancy Savoca (Dogfight). At the heart of the story is the suspicion that perhaps the two people getting hitched aren't right for each other, but the engine of a family wedding has raced ahead of other considerations. Ron Eldard is very good as the boy-man groom-to-be, and Annabella Sciorra is also strong as his more mature fiancée. The script is by Savoca and her own husband, Richard Guay. --Tom Keogh

Will marriage change him?:
This movie is an eye opener for any bride-to-be. First of all, it details the struggle between what the bride and groom want for their wedding. In other movies about upcoming weddings, brides mostly reigned over the entire wedding plan. This movie detailed what the groom also wanted. Donna and Michael disagreed on almost all wedding plans--even the color of the tuxes! It is a good dose of wedding-fantasyland and marital reality. Donna realizes Michael intends to maintain the tightly-knit relationships with his friends, once they are married. Doesn't he know he can't? The struggle between letting go of the life you are comfortable with and the unexplored reality of living with someone you've never lived with, even though you love him or her, creates doubt.

True Love:
I thought this movie was classic. I first saw in on Cinemax. Never see it in video stores or libraries. A great movie to show to your friends when they are about to get married, to scare the ... out of them. The thing that really hits home in this film is how 2 people in love begin to discover things about each other which seem like roadblocks, that they either weren't expecting or thought they would have no problem managing. And isn't it how many relationships start out - bliss and no problems. It's only when it comes to that settling down concept, that i believe as "Mike" says in the film, "Everything becomes very very complicated". There were several strong performances in this movie, and some of the bit players nearly stole the show, like the dude working in the deli who played your classic nightmare employee. I had a chance to meet Aida Tuturro during filming of The Wright Verdicts and told her how much I liked this film. I had also met Ron Shapiro at a closed door audition, who is the brother of Rick Shapiro(who plays "Kevin"). Ron and Rick are practically identical, except Ron has some height. I'm surprised that the two haven't managed to do work that has gotten any attention. Overall, I think this film is a must see for people of all ages. I think it's one of the most naturally funny movies without trying too hard that I've ever seen. And at the same time, it can be scary for people contemplating marriage. Thumbs, and fingers, up - to make this film a "10".

The Bronx She Knew:
Disregard anything you may have heard that this film is not realistic, or representative of "the Bronx today". It's Morris Park. Just the way it was in 1988, when the film was made, and essentially the same today. Some residents have never ventured as far as Manhattan. Ask Kelly Cinante, or Nancy Savoca for that matter. This film is so culturally "true" it could have been called a documentary. Notice how it populates "the Sopranos".

Not the Bronx I know:
I am a transplant from New York to Connecticut. My husband and I wondered what Bronx this movie was about. One time there was a large Italian population around Pelham Parkway, but that was back in the 1960's. Over the years most Italians moved to Queens, Long Island or New Jersey. We couldn't figure out what time period this was supposed to represent. The Bronx changed colors from Italian and Irish to black. So for me this movie did not ring true. I did not see one black person in it. Not in the bars, or on the streets. I also could not understand why the bride didn't see her groom-to-be was a boy-man. He certainly showed that in his many promises to her to come back in an hour or so and then go out and get drunk with his friends. The acting was good. The music was terrific. However, because I felt the movie portrayed a Bronx that no longer exists, I wouldn't recommend it.

A stunning debut for Nancy Savoca!:
I first saw this movie in 1989, before anyone knew who Ron Eldard and Annabella Sciorra were. It is just as good now as it was 10 years ago, proof that quality work withstands the test of time! Hysterical, painful, touching. An excellent study of the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of Italian-American families, as well as of the multitude of stresses one feels on the journey to the altar ... If you liked "The Daytrippers", you will fall head over heels for "True Love". Savoca's (first and) best work in my humble opinion.