A very funny, romantic and enjoyable film Feast of the Seven Fishes enters the market with a situation comedy during the Christmas Holidays. The Italian culture exudes throughout with family, friends and lovers as they all collide during the most important feast of the year. I may be a little bias here, but what hell it is my heritage and I saw a lot of me in the film.
Tony Oliverio (Skyler Gisondo) has been accepted into the Allegheny Art Academy, but he has yet to tell his father as he’s been the son that’s been chosen to take over his store. It’s the day before Christmas and why spoil a time for family and friends. Oh, there’s something else, he recently broke up with Katie (Addison Timlin) the sexiest girl in town. Two strikes would be enough except he has just fallen for Beth Claremont (Madison Iseman) a rich Jewish girl, something his parents would frown upon, especially his grandmother. Actually the problem would be for Beth’s parents as well as Italians aren’t very high on their friends list, especially since they live on the “snobbish” side of the tracks.
The day is slowly becoming extra complicated as Katie has gravitated to Sweeny’s a topless gogo dive as part of her spiraling down, something Tony blames himself for. Of course then there’s Beth’s life that’s become complicated as the boy she was going with is a favorite of her parents and she hasn’t broke the news to them as yet. Added to this is Vince (Cameron Rostami), Tony’s younger brother who’s coming of age. It’s something his Uncle Carmine (Ray Abruzzo) feels he’s obligated to help him with.
Throw all of this in the pot of fish that is being prepared by Uncle Frankie (Joe Pantoliano) and Uncle Johnny (Paul Ben-Victor) something they have been doing since they were old enough to drive. After all it’s the Feast of the Seven Fishes tomorrow and the film will even show you some tricks on how to prepare the BACCALA, WHITING, SMELT, SHRIMP, OYSTERS, EEL and of course CALAMARI.
Trust me when I tell you it becomes even more complicated as the film plays out. It’s Italian, with hormones raging, testosterone levels rising and a family gathering that will be talked about until the next year. Director and writer Robert Tinnell does a very good job of bringing the Italian family culture to the screen as he mixes the whole thing in a big mess to be sorted out. For me it’s somewhat predictable because the mannerisms haven’t changed a bit over the years as well as the coming of age. His timing with each scenario is impeccable and the surprises keep coming throughout. He throws in a few bar fights, a couple of romantic interludes, and some extra nice looking food to boot. I especially like Lynn Cohen as Grandma Nonnie who steals a LOT of scenes. She’s the perfect fit, even if her real heritage is Jewish (you wouldn’t know it).
Holding the film all together with a perfect performance is Skyler Gisondo who’s of Italian descent, well at least 25% anyway. He nails the part of the son who cannot come to grips with his romantic life, going through angst with family traditions that interfere with his desire to be an artist, and yet the nicest boy to ever end up in a complicated Christmas.
Feast of the Seven Fishes has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains language, bar fighting, teen drug use, teen drinking, brief nudity and sexual innuendos.
FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s so much fun you’ll want to see it again. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Skyler Gisondo, Madison Iseman, Josh Helman, Addison Timlin, Ray Abruzzo, Andrew Schulz, David Kallaway, Lynn Cohen, Joe Pantoliano, Paul Ben-Victor
Directed and written by: Robert Tinnell
Genre: Situation Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, language, teen drug use, sexual suggestions, teen drinking
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Opening Date: November 15, 2019
Distributed by: Shout! Factory Films
Released in: Theaters, Color
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
