USA 2023
Opening May 25, 2023
Directed by: Laura Terruso
Writing credits: Austen Earl, Sebastian Maniscalco
Principal actors: Robert De Niro, Sebastian Maniscalco, Leslie Bibb, Kim Cattrall
With slicked back hair, the unmistakably Italian Sebastian Maniscalco (playing himself) is a hard working hotel manager. His father, Salvo (Robert De Niro), is a very proud Sicilian hairdresser who knows his place in modern American society. So, when Sebastian tells Salvo he plans on proposing to his blond bombshell, descendant of the Mayflower Pilgrims, rich girlfriend called Ellie Collins (Leslie Bibb), Salvo just says no. Unwilling to give up so easily, Sebastian brings Salvo along to a Collins family July 4th celebration at their summer mansion where he hopes to convince Salvo that Ellie is The One so that Salvo will give Sebastian the family ring for his proposal to Ellie.
The lame comedy begins when Ellie’s brother lands his helicopter at the airport to pick up Sebastion, Ellie, and Salvo. Salvo plays it cool while Sebastion has a panic attack shortly after takeoff. The shenanigans continue at the luxurious summer estate where peacocks strut, the Collins family cuddles together in their monogramed pjs, and Sebastian drops his swim pants to the horror of the entire family on his fly by. Lots of clichés, stereotypes, and predictable plotlines but Maniscalco and De Niro have the charisma to pull it off. (.)