Mystic Pizza (1988)

Director:

Donald Petrie

Writers (WGA):

Amy Holden Jones (story)
Amy Holden Jones (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A romantic comedy with the works.

Plot:

Three teenage girls come of age while working at a pizza parlor in Mystic Connecticut.

Plot Keywords:

Sister | Pizza | Commitment | Marriage | New England

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Annabeth Gish	...	Kat Arujo
Julia Roberts	...	Daisy Arujo
Lili Taylor	...	Jojo
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Bill (as Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio)
William R. Moses	...	Tim Travers
Adam Storke	...	Charles Gordon Windsor, Jr.
Conchata Ferrell	...	Leona
Joanna Merlin	...	Mrs. Arujo
Porscha Radcliffe	...	Phoebe Travers
Arthur Walsh	...	Manny
John Fiore	...	Jake
Gene Amoroso	...	Mr. Barboza
Sheila Ferrini	...	Mrs. Barboza
Janet Zarish	...	Nicole Travers
Louis Turenne	...	Hector Freshette

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Sweden:Btl | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Company:

Night Life Inc.

Trivia:

Mystic Pizza is a real pizza parlor, located at 55 West Main St. in Mystic, Connecticut. Writer Amy Jones was vacationing in Mystic one summer, saw the pizza parlor and was inspired to write the story. After the movie came out, the real Mystic Pizza shop became so popular, lines would stretch to the sidewalk and patrons would regularly steal mementos from the restaurant.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: During the bar pool scene, Charlie doesn't make the solid orange ball, but when Daisy runs the table and eventually wins the game she doesn't sink the orange ball either.

Quotes:

Bill: [to Jojo] I'm tellin you I LOVE YOU, and all you love is my *dick*! Do you know how that makes me feel?

Movie Connections:

References It Happened One Night (1934)

Soundtrack:

I AIN'T GOT NOBODY

A charming and convincing coming-of-age story of three young women.

_Mystic Pizza_ would be remembered, if for no other reason, as the film that first made us pay attention to Julia Roberts. It also showcases the early talents of several other actors who later rose to some success and fame in the movies: Lili Taylor and Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio among them. Others in the cast have perhaps deserved better in their careers than they achieved, especially Annabeth Gish, but here they shine fresh and alive.Actually, the entire ensemble cast, including the minor parts, is excellent -- natural, unaffected, convincing performances.

The story concentrates on three young women on the cusp of new lives -- marriage, college, responsibility -- and tracks them through that special summer between the childhood and adulthood. I think it was more unusual in 1988 to show female friendships and a female point of view than has perhaps become ten years later. The women are smart and individualized, surprising and interesting as people.

The men are less so. D'Onofrio has the most fully realized male character, the young fisherman who wants commitment, who wants to be more to his girl than just a sexual aid. The other two men, one a preppie in rebellion and the other a middle-aged married man looking for something he left behind, are mostly just occasions for the women to find some new grounding and growth.

I am also very fond of this film for its insistence on finding one's way in the world by first finding out what is right thing to do, the right way to live.