Puccini for Beginners (2006)

A recently-singled New York writer finds herself in two surprising and complicated relationships.

Director:

Maria Maggenti

Writer:

Maria Maggenti

Stars:

Ken Barnett, Julianne Nicholson, Brian Letscher

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Barnett	...	Catering Boss
Julianne Nicholson	...	Samantha
Brian Letscher	...	Jeff
Elizabeth Reaser	...	Allegra
Gretchen Mol	...	Grace
Justin Kirk	...	Philip
Tina Benko	...	Nell
Kate Simses	...	Vivian
Natalie Havermeyer	...	Turandot
Mimi Molligher	...	Woman in Elevator
Maggie Moore	...	Woman in Park
Craig Archibald	...	Man in Park
Yasu Suzuki	...	Sushi Chef 1
Yoshiro Kono	...	Sushi Chef 2
Jennifer Dundas	...	Molly

Storyline

Allegra, an opera-loving writer in New York, eschews commitment, so her girlfriend, Samantha, leaves her. Allegra misses Sam, and resents the accusation that she's afraid to say "I love you," but she's soon involved with two people - Grace and Philip - who, unbeknownst to her, have just broken up with each other. Allegra juggles the two affairs, telling neither about the other; each likes her more and more as her old fears start making her itchy. Things come to a head at an engagement party where Allegra is pinch-hitting as a catering assistant.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | affair | party | love | engagement party | 

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Taglines:

A love triangle of operatic proportions

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Triangle of Love

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,380 (USA) (2 February 2007)

Gross:

$89,417 (USA) (22 June 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Eden Wurmfeld Films, InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min 82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Philip's clothing changes three times during his date to the opera with Allegra. When they leave for the opera, he is seen wearing jeans, a sweater and a suit jacket. Immediately after the opera, he is wearing a button-up shirt and khakis instead of his sweater and jeans. During dinner, Philip is seen wearing the sweater with the khakis while his jacket is hanging over the back of his chair.

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Quotes

Allegra: Those who break up with me usually earn my life long devotion.

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Connections

References The L Word (2004)

User Reviews

Likable Romantic Triangle Comedy Hamstrung by a Lackluster Lead and Plodding Pacing

Directed and written by Maria Maggenti ("The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love"), this disheveled 2007 romantic triangle comedy has several likable elements, but it never seems to coalesce into something more resonant. The chief problem is that the protagonist, a neurotic, opera-loving lesbian writer appropriately named Allegra, is so perpetually self-absorbed that her dilemma never elicits much sympathy. Elizabeth Reaser is an appealing character actress but frankly not charismatic enough to get away with the commitment-phobic shenanigans that Maggenti throws her way in the acerbic script. The gap causes an odd imbalance with her more intriguing co-stars Justin Kirk and Gretchen Mol. Kirk, who soared as Prior Walter in Mike Nichols' epic 2003 adaptation of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America", harnesses his quirky persona effectively to play Philip, a bored philosophy professor who becomes attracted to Allegra.

In turn, Allegra finds herself drawn to Philip but is still reeling from a break-up with her conflicted girlfriend of nine months. Meanwhile, Mol (refreshingly frank as "The Notorious Bettie Page") seems to be channeling a bit of Meg Ryan's flaky self-righteousness in playing Grace, a pert glass-blower who just broke up with Philip. Grace meets Allegra, and the standard complications ensue. Even with the lesbian angle, which Maggenti handles with aplomb, the indie movie feels more like a throwback to a 1930's screwball farce, especially seen in a hectic party scene where all three principals converge in a most haphazard way. Emotional isolation is a worthy theme to explore, but Maggenti can't make the film snap with the strength of her witty observations. One would have also expected a reference to Puccini, in particular, his tragic opera "Turandot", to be reflected more fully than it does here through the plodding plot structure. The 2007 DVD has an insightful commentary track from Maggenti and editor Susan Graef, as well as a couple of deleted scenes.