The Counterfeit Contessa (TV 1994)

Gina Nardino, a young saleswoman at the food counter of a posh department store, falls hard for a society stud, and, through a series of accidents, impresses him by taking on the false ... See full summary »

Director:

Ron Lagomarsino

Writers:

Christine Burrill (story), Randi Johnson (story),

Stars:

Téa Leoni, D.W. Moffett, David Beecroft

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Téa Leoni	...	Gina Leonarda Nardino
D.W. Moffett	...	Dawson Everett
David Beecroft	...	Sinclair Everett
Karla Tamburrelli	...	Countess Sofia di Sarzanello
Susan Walters	...	Palmer Hewitt
Molly Price	...	Margo
Nicole de Boer	...	Helena Everett (as Nikki de Boer)
Holland Taylor	...	Wallace Everett
Lynn Cohen	...	Angie Nardino
Sam Coppola	...	Mel Nardino
Louis Guss	...	Antony Nardino
Jonathan Potts	...	Floyd
Pat Mastroianni	...	Carlos
Falconer Abraham	...	Lefty
James Mainprize	...	Mr. Butterhands

Storyline

Gina Nardino, a young saleswoman at the food counter of a posh department store, falls hard for a society stud, and, through a series of accidents, impresses him by taking on the false identity of an Italian contessa. But the masquerade begins to get out of hand when the stud's brother sees through her disguise...and likes what he sees.

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Plot Keywords:

role reversal

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Contessa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox West Pictures, Pillsbury Productions, Sanford

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Helena Everett: Of course love is important, Dear; it's just not as reliable as a really good piece of property. You will need a home large enough to allow you and your extremely loving husband to, from time to time, when it's necessary, completely avoid one another.

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Connections

Remade as Girasoles para Lucía (1999)

User Reviews

a fun, "smart" romantic comedy

I've loved this since I first saw it overseas, subtitled in Spanish!! Very funny without having to think to hard, but if you connect the dots and pay attention, there is a payoff...either off the cuff comments having some deeper meaning to the theme, or criss crossing comments that you have to catch the irony of, and you'll miss if you don't pay attention.

I've watched this many times through, and still love finding new comedic nuances they throw in...though some are very broad and you don't have to "look" at all--they practically slap you upside the head!!

Tea Leoni is her funny,sometimes smart, sometimes awkward,and always very winsome self. Holland Taylor (who plays the mother on two and a half men) is brilliantly typecast as the snobby mother of the snobby son on whom Ginny has the crush AND of the down-to-earth son played by D.W. Moffet, who is charming beyond words as the one who catches on to Ginny's charade. He really makes the zingers zing...The chemistry he has with Tea is undeniable. Between the two of them, you really get pulled in to the fun that never gets sappy.

Sure wish I could buy it!!