Once Around (1991)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writer (WGA):

Malia Scotch Marmo (written by)

Release Date:

18 January 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

The Bellas were one big happy family. Then Renata met Sam...

Plot:

Renata Bella feels like a failure at life and career. But when Renata attends a seminar on selling real estate...

Plot Keywords:

Salesman | True Love | Wedding | Christmas | Pregnancy

Cast

Richard Dreyfuss	...	Sam Sharpe
Holly Hunter	...	Renata Bella
Danny Aiello	...	Joe Bella
Laura San Giacomo	...	Jan Bella
Gena Rowlands	...	Marilyn Bella
Roxanne Hart	...	Gail Bella
Danton Stone	...	Tony Bella
Tim Guinee	...	Peter Hedges
Greg Germann	...	Jim Redstone
Griffin Dunne	...	Rob
Cullen O. Johnson	...	Sonny
Joan Gay	...	Aunt
Lou Criscuolo	...	Uncle
Myra Taylor	...	Trainer #1
Michael Steve Jones	...	Trainer #2

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Cinecom Entertainment Group

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: In this, as in almost all films where an attempt is made to characterize a Boston accent, players don't understand that Bostonians would never not pronounce the r at the end of a word if the next word begins with a vowel. The classic "Park the car in Harvard Yard" is supposed to be pronounced thusly, "Pahk the car in Hahvad Yahd."

Quotes:

Jan Bella: For chrissakes - he puts money in women's breasts!

Genuine character study, completely wonderful, and a joy to watch.

This is one of Lasse Hallestrom's best films. It is a richly textured, completely unique character study of a youngish woman named Renata, played superbly by Holly Hunter in what is arguably her best performance. Renata comes from a close Italian family outside of Boston, and has drifted from job to job without much confidence or direction. Her family is very supportive of her, but rather than drawing strength form their support, Renata seems to dwell safely in it, choosing to let them be her safety net.

Renata goes on a weekend junket where she is recruited to take a position selling timeshares in the Caribbean. While she is there she meets Sam, the dynamic and aggressive top salesman, who impresses her greatly when she hears him speak. A flirtation develops, and she ends up traveling back to Boston with him.

The brash, confident Sam clashes inadvertently with her family's more traditional and reserved style, and while it is evident Sam is crazy about Renata, the family has reservations about him. A compelling and utterly captivating story ensues, which unlike most small films, takes major risks, and allows every character to be completely human.

The story deals with the power of acceptance, of love, of the magic and complete idiocynracy of personal connection, and of what it means to be alive and human. Sam is difficult--he is over the top, and loud, and exhausting. Yet the film is equally balanced in showing his many kindnesses to Renata and her entire family; his generosity, his love for her, and his pride that she loves him. Their love is peculiar and inexplicable, and yet they complete one another in that indefinable way that epitomizes the mystery of love.

it's not a sappy love story. The movie shows people warts and all, and loves them anyway. All the characters are respected. By the end, I am usually in tears. Renata tells her parents, "This is MY adventure!" and when you watch this, I think you will agree.