Homie Spumoni (2006)

All his life, African-American Renato has been raised in an Italian-American family. Completely unaware that he is Black, his life is upended when his birth parents materialize, causing Renato to examine what he true heritage is.

Director:

Mike Cerrone

Writers:

Mike Cerrone, Steve Cerrone,

Stars:

Donald Faison, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Whoopi Goldberg

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Faison	...	Renato / Leroy
Jamie-Lynn Sigler	...	Alli Butterman
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Thelma
Paul Mooney	...	George
Lina Giornofelice	...	Maria (as Lina Felice)
Alvaro D'Antonio	...	Enzo
Tony Rock	...	Dana
Joey Fatone	...	Buddy
Kira Clavell	...	Nipp Su
Jason Schombing	...	Dr. Finklestein
Linda Kash	...	Mrs. Butterman
Kathleen Laskey	...	Agnes
Rhona Shekter	...	Shirley
Tony Nappo	...	Uncle Nicky Pollina
Paulino Nunes	...	Big C

Storyline

All his life, African-American Renato has been raised in an Italian-American family. Completely unaware that he is Black, his life is upended when his birth parents materialize, causing Renato to examine what he true heritage is.

---

Plot Keywords:

african american | deli | italian | abandoned baby | interracial relationship | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

8 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

It's Under My Skin

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

R-Caro Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References American Idol (2002)

User Reviews

Homie Spumoni

When an Italian couple finds a seemingly abandoned dark-skinned baby on a river shore, they decide to raise it as their own. Some twenty years later, the baby has grown up to a young man named Renato (Donald Faison) who is proud of his Italian heritage and completely oblivious to his true roots as an African-American. One day his biological parents (Paul Mooney and Whoopi Goldberg) pay him a visit and tell him the truth about his origin, causing much confusion and unexpected situations. The new revelation also affects Renato's relationship with his new girlfriend Alli (Jamie-Lynn Sigler), a Jewish nurse with an overbearing mother.

The humour is mostly based on tired racial stereotypes: blacks love rap music and are good at sports and breaking into houses, Jewish parents are oppressive and obsessed about their children's future spouse while Italians are hot-headed and good at cooking. There are also fart and sex jokes and a predictable message about the importance of love and overcoming prejudices.

Not one of the jokes is funny and the senseless bumbling gets annoying very quickly. The lead actors can't make their characters feel real, but luckily the charismatic Paul Mooney and Whoopi Goldberg help a little. Linda Kash as Alli's mother is also decent. All in all, I can't really recommend Homie Spumoni to anyone despite a few OK supporting actors, as a comedy that lacks funny scenes as thoroughly as this one just isn't worth the time.