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Mid-August Lunch

Original title: Pranzo di ferragosto
  • 20082008
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
A Rome bachelor looks after four octogenarian women for the summer holiday of Ferragosto.
Play trailer1:38
2 Videos
9 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

Broke, and armed with only a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni lives with his mother in their old apartment. The debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager's mot... Read allBroke, and armed with only a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni lives with his mother in their old apartment. The debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager's mother during the Ferragosto, all will be forgiven.Broke, and armed with only a wry sense of humor, middle-aged Gianni lives with his mother in their old apartment. The debts are mounting, but if Gianni looks after the building manager's mother during the Ferragosto, all will be forgiven.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gianni Di Gregorio
  • Writers
    • Gianni Di Gregorio(story)
    • Simone Riccardini(story)
  • Stars
    • Valeria De Franciscis
    • Marina Cacciotti
    • Maria Calì
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gianni Di Gregorio
  • Writers
    • Gianni Di Gregorio(story)
    • Simone Riccardini(story)
  • Stars
    • Valeria De Franciscis
    • Marina Cacciotti
    • Maria Calì
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 89Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 15 wins & 10 nominations

    Videos2

    Mid-August Lunch: U.S. Trailer
    Trailer 1:38
    Mid-August Lunch: U.S. Trailer
    Pranzo di ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch): Italian-Language Trailer
    Trailer 1:45
    Pranzo di ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch): Italian-Language Trailer

    Photos9

    Gianni Di Gregorio in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Gianni Di Gregorio, Alfonso Santagata, Grazia Cesarini Sforza, Valeria De Franciscis, and Marina Cacciotti in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Gianni Di Gregorio and Maria Calì in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Marina Cacciotti in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Valeria De Franciscis in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Valeria De Franciscis and Maria Calì in Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)
    Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Valeria De Franciscis
    Valeria De Franciscis
    • Madre di Giannias Madre di Gianni
    Marina Cacciotti
    Marina Cacciotti
    • Marina - la madre di Luigias Marina - la madre di Luigi
    Maria Calì
    • Mariaas Maria
    Grazia Cesarini Sforza
    • Graziaas Grazia
    Alfonso Santagata
    • Alfonsoas Alfonso
    Luigi Marchetti
    • Vichingoas Vichingo
    Biagio Ursitti
    • Luigias Luigi
    Petre Rosu
    • Barboneas Barbone
    Gianni Di Gregorio
    Gianni Di Gregorio
    • Giannias Gianni
    Marcello Ottolenghi
    • Amico dottoreas Amico dottore
    • Director
      • Gianni Di Gregorio
    • Writers
      • Gianni Di Gregorio(story) (screenplay)
      • Simone Riccardini(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Gianni is a middle-aged man living in Rome with his imposing and demanding elderly mother. His only outlet from her and the increasing debt into which they are sinking, are the increasingly frequent quiet sessions at the local tavern. As an Oriental saying goes, 'Moments of crisis are moments of opportunities'. These appear during the celebration of the holiday of Ferragosto on 15 August. That's when everybody leaves town to have fun. Opportunity knocks on Gianni's door in the most unexpected way. —Warsaw Film Festival
    • italy
    • august
    • wine
    • aunt
    • elderly
    • 27 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in Maltin on Movies: Secretariat (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Here Comes Your Man
      Written by Frank Black (as Black Francis)

      Performed by Pixies (uncredited)

      (P) 1997 Licensed courtesy of 4AD Ltd

      By arrangement with Beggars Group Media Ltd

      © Rice and Beans Music

      Edizioni per l'Italia : Universal/MCA Music Italy Srl

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Uncommon, Italian and slow but good.
    Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio), who is well into his forties, has no job or income and still lives in his comfortable family home with his ageing mother. She is a capricious but refined woman who requires a lot of attention and even more patience. Gianni offers her those but can barely squeeze a little life of his own in there. When those around him escape from Rome for some fresh countryside air in the mid-summer weekend, he finds himself left behind in the empty city with a motley of elderly ladies.

    I suppose many people will amuse themselves wondering if Mr Di Gregorio is playing himself, or at least a little... as the Gianni in the movie is somewhat removed from normal society. He seems to have accepted that he will be taking care of his mother, at the expense of having his own life. This is a rare form of self-sacrifice in our day, and shows, through our own eyes, our expectations of an individual's life. Can you live a full life without a romantic relationship? Can you feel content without being able to provide for yourself (and your family), without perusing some kind of personal development? How far from the ordinary can you be removed and still feel content about your life?

    It is not easy. Gianni needs money and yet does not work. Of course if he would work, then who would take care of his mother? Should he be working to be able to pay for a home for her, so that he can start a relationship of his own? Then his mother would be all alone, unhappy and less well taken care of than in the company of her own son. The dilemma of the ageing society laid bare.

    When we see the elderly ladies laughing and interacting together, it is almost as if a choice has to be made in society, that either the elderly or the young have to sacrifice themselves for the other. This awkward thought is dispelled later on, at least somewhat, as the characters all find a place for themselves in this unexpected weekend away without leaving. This is a touching and funny film, which should have been released here in May when everyone has one foot at home and the other in a long weekend away. It would have added a nice tie-in with the reality around us.
    helpful•36
    5
    • incitatus-org
    • Apr 22, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 5, 2008 (Italy)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Official sites
      • Official site (Italy)
      • Official site (United States)
    • Language
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • The Ferragosto Dinner
    • Filming locations
      • Rome, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Archimede
      • Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (MiBAC)
      • Fandango
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $675,299
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,090
      • Mar 21, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,524,517
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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