The Story:
Two rival Italian families live in Verona New Jersey. They both operate successful pizza parlors across from one another. They are separated by a fence, a weak transformer that powers both places, and unified by an undying hatred of each other that goes back generations. Add in a rich businessman who wants to franchise a restaurant, and competition takes on unhealthy levels. If that wasn't bad enough, love steps in and has the two oldest from each family fall madly in love with one another.
What is a family feud supposed to do now?
This is not earth-shaking cinema.
This is made for tv goodness courtesy of ABC Family, who provides me with a month of awesomeness every year around Christmas. The stories are light, breezy, generally well made, scripted, acted, and put together. Aside from the dads in each family, I didn't recognize any faces in this film as the stars, but that's okay. No distractions that way, or stunt casting.
So taking the Bard's well-known Romeo & Juliet story, and naturally, befitting the subject matter, giving it a happy ending.
And I tell you, it works.
Tragedy schmagedy, the world lives for happy endings, and if you're going to update the R&J story, THAT'S what you have to do with it. Unless you are going for a strict retelling, avoid the tragedy and let the 2 youngsters teach their families a valuable lesson.
Much more satisfying, and a lot less depressing.
Anyway, breezy 90 minutes that's suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
I recommend doing so with pizza!
Final Grade: C+
Would I Add it to the Collection: Nah, it was no Gnomeo & Juliet! : )
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