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With
the enormous success of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", many
independent films are starting to attract bigger studios and wider
releases; case in point, "The Bread, My Sweet".
This flick was shot entirely in Pittsburgh with a budget that
really wasn't enough to pay a small KIA, much less make a big
screen feature. Written and directed by first timer Melissa
Martin, "The Bread, My Sweet" is probably the best
romantic comedy I have seen since "IQ".
The
lead character in this film is Dominic (played by Scott Baio--yes,
Scott Baio from "Joanie Loves Chachi" and "Charles
in Charge". Where the hell has he been?), who holds
down two jobs. He works downtown as a man who fires
individuals after he acquires the companies they work for.
His other job is the owner of a pastry shop in an old Italian
neighborhood, which he runs chiefly to supply his two brothers
(one is a slacker and the other retarded) with jobs. And old
couple live above the bakery, who just so happen to be the
landlords. Their daughter, Lucca, has ran away and joined
the Peace Corps. When the old lady falls ill, Dominic
volunteers to track her daughter down and bring her back.
When he finally does find her, they decide they must get married
in order for the old lady to die in peace. That is the basic
premise for this glorious new film.
The
first part of this film sets up the characters. We see that
Dominic is not content with his corporate job and is in need of
something in his life, which turns out to be romance. We see
that Bella, the old lady who lives above the bakery, misses her
daughter and wants grandchildren, which is why Lucca and Dominic
are eventually wed. And, we see the compassion Dominic holds
for his brothers, whom he supports and looks after in many ways.
The basic plotline would be like "Saving Private
Ryan"--Dominic finds Lucca and she is happy and doesn't want
to return home. Alas, Lucca turns out to be a good and
loving daughter. She never left home because she was unhappy
there; she left to help other people, because that is the kind of
person she is. In a way, "The Bread, My Sweet" is
a modern day fable, fantastic and full of sweetness and joy.
Films like this leave you with a warm and gooey feeling when you
leave the theatre. Sure, there is some sadness involved, but
ultimately there is redemption found in the characters and we
sympathize with them along the way. Scott Baio is fantastic
in one of his first major film roles, and Kristin Minter is also
gorgeous and charismatic as Lucca, in her first big role as an
actress. Rosemary Prinz offers heavy emotion and warmth in
her role as Bella, turning her character into one of the richest I
have seen this year.
I had never heard anything about
this film until I read Roger Ebert's review. He praised the
film, and so do I. I had to drive 100 miles to see it, but
it was a trip well worth taking.
NOTE: This film was made and released in 2000, but has
survived only in the Pittsburgh area. It has just now
received wide distribution, so I am not sure if it will be
eligible for any type of Academy Award recognition of Golden
Globe, though I am certain the Academy will probably overlook it.
"The Bread, My Sweet" is a wonderful romantic comedy
that will leave you feeling content and warm throughout your body.
It is a unique movie going experience and proves that there is
life after "Charles in Charge".
-- Billy
Ray ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )
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