The Bread, My Sweet (2001)

A man proposes to a woman he's met once, all in the same day.

Director:

Melissa Martin

Writer:

Melissa Martin

Stars:

Scott Baio, John Seitz, Kim Martin

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Scott Baio	...	Dominic
John Seitz	...	Massimo
Kim Martin	...	Customer
Zachary Mott	...	Eddie (as Billy Mott)
Shuler Hensley	...	Pino
Jennie Martin	...	Maude
Rose Bray	...	Rose
John Bechtol	...	Jeffrey
Rosemary Prinz	...	Bella
Jody O'Donnell	...	Preston
Marty Sheets	...	Liz
Bingo O'Malley	...	CEO
Nick Tallo	...	Bomba
Daniel Stafford	...	Boardroom Guy (as Dan Stafford)
Philip Winters	...	Dr. Wahl

Storyline

Dominic works round the clock: nights making biscotti for his family's bakery in a working-class Italian neighborhood in Pittsburgh, then days downtown where he's a specialist in firing people at a company that negotiates mergers. He's thrown for a loop with he learns that Bella, an elderly neighbor who's his family's closest friend, has but a few months to live. All her life, she's saved money in coffee cans for her daughter, Lucca's, wedding, but Lucca is off in foreign lands, initially as a Peace Corps volunteer, and doesn't need a man. Dominic vows to bring Lucca home and convince her to marry him to fulfill Bella's most fervent wish. What will Lucca say?

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Plot Keywords:

italian | food in title | italian american | food | cancer

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Taglines:

In Italian a good man is a piece of bread.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexuality, some sexual references and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

February 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Wedding for Bella

Filming Locations:

Strip District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Who Knew Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Enrico Biscotti Bakery is owned and operated by Director Melissa Martins husband. Massimo and Bella are also based on the actual residents who lived above the bakery.

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Quotes

Dominic: Would you stop eating this plastic crap? Flour, water, olive oil, yeast, that's bread. Milk, cheese. What you're eating is SHIT!

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Soundtracks

"Massimo's Entrance"
Written by Susan Hartford
Performed by Jim DiSpirito and Joe Bishkoff
Published by Syntrax Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Food as love, Film as sustenance

First of all, make sure you eat before seeing this film. Preferably a loaf of homemade bread dipped in olive oil and a slice or two of brachiole. Follow with a desert of assorted biscotti and a slice of berry pie, and wash it all down with several glasses of homemade wine. Okay, now we can begin.

Like a fine meal joyfully prepared by hands that love you and shared with those whose company you most enjoy, this film will make you feel warm and connected -- to the earth, to humanity, to the one place in all the wide world that is yours and yours alone. Be prepared to laugh, be prepared to cry. Be prepared to leave the movie theater with a persistent urge to run to those you love and hug them for a long, long time. They may be imperfect, they may (occasionally or often) drive you crazy. But they are what keeps you from spinning off into the cold, dark, impersonal world. They are your reflection, your heart, your soul. Savor their company while you are together, and even when they are gone you will always have them with you.

And, whatever you do, follow your heart. It is so much wiser than your head. Or, better yet, follow your stomach. Let it lead you home.