Once More with Feeling (2009)

A midlife crisis dramatic comedy about a man who pursues his old ambition to become a singer through karaoke.

Director:

Jeff Lipsky

Writer:

Gina O'Brien

Stars:

Chazz Palminteri, Drea de Matteo, Linda Fiorentino

Cast

Credited cast:
Chazz Palminteri	...	Frank Gregorio
Drea de Matteo	...	Lana Gregorio
Linda Fiorentino	...	Lydia
Lauren Bittner	...	Susan
Maria Tucci	...	Angelina Gregorio
Daisy Tahan	...	Chloe
Gene Ruffini	...	Nonno
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jes Almeida	...	Mouse Park Employee
Chuck Bachrach	...	Hotel Registration Clerk
David Aaron Baker	...	Rich
Ezra Barnes	...	Plastic Surgeon
Chris Beetem	...	Officer Murphy
Angelica Boccella	...	Nancy
David Call	...	Kevin
Donny Chiappetta	...	Eddie

Storyline

Frank Gregorio is a successful psychiatrist, loving husband, and doting grandfather to the two children of his eldest daughter, Lana. When the universe conspires to introduce him to karaoke through both a patient's parent issues and his precocious granddaughter's birthday party, Frank rediscovers a long-suppressed dream of becoming a professional singer. While his wife, Angelina, believes he is just practicing to sing at their younger daughter's upcoming wedding, Frank befriends a karaoke aficionado, Lydia, a femme fatale who has other plans for the would-be crooner. Simultaneously the sarcastic and harried Lana grows increasingly neurotic about her post-pregnancy weight and flagging marriage and contemplates solutions in the form of plastic surgery and an affair with a hunky and charismatic police officer. Like father, like daughter? How will this close-knit Italian American family cope with the decisions Frank and Lana make?

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 2010 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rosetta Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Bravo for an undiscussed topic, and Linda Fiorentino...

I do not usually like fun "feel-good" films, unless there is intelligent and thoughtful dialog. This is a fun drama, not exactly a comedy similar to "City Island", but there are surprise performances here, and a relevant story.

Chazz Palmintieri as Connecticut psychiatrist Dr. Gregorio is well-settled but "missing something" as many of us feel after a decade or two, or three of marriage.

Drea De Matteo is also good as his disaffected daughter, raising young kids, feeling neglected in a marriage and wanting the band-aid of plastic surgery, or an affair, which she thinks may make her feel better.

Linda Fiorentino (1994 "The Final Seduction") also has a wonderful cameo and excellent stage-presence in an almost Anita O'Day recreation as a cocktail lounge chanteuse. The soundtrack is also very good. Give this film a chance as it is fun but also well-written, and some very good story points. 10/10.