Pizza My Heart (2005)

Another modern spin-off of Romeo & Juliet, this time about two families who each run rivaling pizza restaurants in New Jersey.

Director:

Andy Wolk

Writers:

Juliet Giglio, Keith Giglio

Stars:

Shiri Appleby, Eyal Podell, Dan Hedaya

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shiri Appleby	...	Gina Prestolani
Eyal Podell	...	Joe Montebello
Dan Hedaya	...	Vinnie Montebello
Michael Badalucco	...	Lou Prestolani
Joanna Canton	...	Annette Prestolani
Nick Spano	...	Carlo Delrio
Gina Hecht	...	Gloria Montebello
Natalija Nogulich	...	Mary Prestolani
Rob Boltin	...	Nicky Montebello
John Mese	...	Jean Paul Veber
Tony Amendola	...	Father Spealo
William Ragsdale	...	Tommy
Bryan James Kitto	...	Antonio
Dane Rhodes	...	Blue Collar Neighbor
Don Yesso	...	White Collar Neighbor

Storyline

Two Italian families own competitive pizza restaurants and have had an ongoing family feud since long ago in the 'old country'. The son and daughter of each opposing family fall in love, but not without strong disapproval of their parents. Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. It takes place in modern day Verona, New Jersey.

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Plot Keywords:

family | 

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Genres:

Family | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The title of the movie caused a legal conflict. There was already a pizzeria in Santa Cruz, CA trademarked "Pizza My Heart". The producers tried "Pizza My Heart, The Movie" That was already trademarked as well. This same pizzeria delivered rental videos with their pizzas. Apparently the conflict was resolved.

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Quotes

Annette Prestolani: Oh, my God. Gina Prestolani, who's sauce have you been tasting?

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Connections

Referenced in Danville 2nd Ward Young Men: Santa Cruz 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Where You Are
(2004)
Written by Marc Broussard
Performed by Marc Broussard
Courtesy of Island Records

User Reviews

Pizza My Heart

In a modern variation of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the old tale of forbidden love is set in present day Verona, New Jersey where two Italian-American families, the Montebellos and the Prestolanis, run rivaling pizzerias and hold a grudge against each other. Naturally Joe, the son of the Montebellos (Eyal Podell), meets Gina, the daughter of the Prestolanis (Shiri Appleby), and warm feelings develop between them. In addition to the long-running mutual hatred between their families, Joe and Gina's romance is also hindered by their sense of responsibility to their folks: both are being pressured for pre-set careers despite longing to see more in life.

I guess you shouldn't expect much from a made-for-TV rom-com drama; but still, would just a hint of fresh ideas be too much to ask? The story advances exactly, and I mean exactly, as can be predicted right from the beginning. I actually suspected the laughably clichéd plot might be some kind of sarcastic parody of all the lame romance flicks that get churned out each year, but no, there's nothing to suggest that we aren't supposed to take it all at face value.

Besides the dull story, the other aspects don't provide much to enjoy either, even if technically the movie is not totally incompetent. The music further adds to the sea of clichés and the actors are just pretty faces with little charisma. The only exception would be the sturdy Michael Badalucco as Gina's father, but he isn't really given much decent material to work with, so it is difficult to find any reason to recommend Pizza My Heart to anyone but the biggest and most undemanding romance fans. All those tasty pizzas got me really hungry though; I guess that's a positive reaction.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pizza Wars

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

GWave Productions, Walt Disney Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1