Pranzo di Ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch) (2009)
81%RT Audience Score: 70%
Awards & Nominations: 15 wins & 10 nominations
Pranzo di Ferragosto is a delightful and charming film that captures the essence of Italian culture and cuisine. The film’s intimate setting and character-driven plot provide a refreshing break from the typical Hollywood blockbuster. Di Gregorio’s writing and directing are masterful, and his performance as the middle-aged man living with his aging mother is both heartwarming and hilarious. The film’s dry wit and subtle humor will leave you feeling uplifted and satisfied, much like a delicious Italian meal. Pranzo di Ferragosto is a cinematic gem that should not be missed.
Pranzo di Ferragosto is like a good meal – it leaves you feeling satisfied and content. This charming little film is a character-driven comedy that doesn’t rely on jokes or punchlines, but instead finds humor in the situations themselves. Shot mostly in a small apartment, it’s a simple and sweet look at a weekend in the life of an uncomplicated middle-aged man living with his aging mother. It’s not a film that will blow your mind or rock your world, but it’s a delightful feat that will leave you feeling full and happy. Plus, who doesn’t love a good food tourism moment?
Production Company(ies)
Virgen Films,
Distributor
Zeitgeist
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Rome, Lazio, Italy
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2008
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 15m
-
Language(s):Italian
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 17, 2010 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2011
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Gianni Di Gregorio, Valeria De Franciscis, Marina Cacciotti, Maria Cali, Grazia Cesarini Sforza, Alfonso Santagata, directed by Gianni Di Gregorio, written by Gianni Di Gregorio, Simone Riccardini, Comedy, Drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Nicolas Rapold, Kimberley Jones, Linda Barnard, Calvin Wilson, Sara Michelle Fetters, Moira MacDonald, Jason Best, David Harris, Mattie Lucas, Amie Simon, Jamie S Rich, Jeffrey M Anderson, produced by Matteo Garrone, MPAA rating, Italian, elderly care, Rome, condominium, bills, holiday, mothers, middle-aged man, charming, light-hearted, warm-hearted, delightful, surprising depth, affable bachelor, coasting through life, no complaints, taking care of several mothers, trying to stay afloat
Worldwide gross: $9,524,517
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $13,119,658
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,878
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,430,715
US/Canada gross: $675,299
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $930,199
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,205
US/Canada opening weekend: $13,090
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $18,031
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,549
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): 500000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $688,731
Production budget ranking: 2,102
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $370,882
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,060,046
ROI to date (est.): 1,138%
ROI ranking: 107
Valeria De Franciscis – Valeria
Marina Cacciotti – Marina
Maria Cali – Aunt Maria
Grazia Cesarini Sforza – Grazia
Alfonso Santagata – Luigi
Director(s)
Gianni Di Gregorio
Writer(s)
Gianni Di Gregorio, Simone Riccardini
Producer(s)
Matteo Garrone
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
15 wins & 10 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (67) | Top Critics (28) | Fresh (59) | Rotten (8)
Shot handheld and mostly confined to the apartment, the film is (despite some mild food tourism) a delightful feat
November 13, 2013
Nicolas Rapold
Film Comment Magazine
TOP CRITIC
These women! These women are marvelous.
June 4, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
A simple and endlessly charming look at a weekend in the life of an uncomplicated middle-aged man living with his aging mama.
May 20, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/4
Linda Barnard
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Charming but insignificant.
May 6, 2010 | Rating: 2/4
Calvin Wilson
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
It was easy to drink down and pleasure to eat up, and while it didn’t blow my mind or rock my world it left me fully satiated to the point I hungered not a single ounce more.
April 30, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Not much happens in this wisp of a movie (it’s barely 75 minutes), and not much is necessary; it’s all about finding a mood and letting it sneak up and envelop the watcher.
April 29, 2010 | Rating: 3/4
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
TOP CRITIC
This intimate little movie is an unexpected delight: sweet, gentle, and surprisingly life affirming – a film that raises your spirits even while making you contemplate mortality.
November 27, 2020
Jason Best
Movie Talk
A breezy, brief film.
October 19, 2019 | Rating: 3.5/5
David Harris
Spectrum Culture
This is character based comedy without jokes or punchlines, but filled with a sparkling dry wit that arises from the situations themselves.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Mattie Lucas
From the Front Row
Starting out with lots of drama, but ending with lots of laughter, this film is a perfect light, uplifting story.
March 9, 2019
Amie Simon
Three Imaginary Girls
Di Gregorio stars in the film as well as writing and directing, and a more charming mealtime companion you’re not likely to find.
July 30, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/5
Jamie S. Rich
Oregonian
[A] unique recipe, a bittersweet comedy/drama, with a dash of realism.
October 8, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid…
Plot
An affable bachelor, Gianni, takes care of several elderly mothers in exchange for having his condo bills forgotten by his landlord, Alfonso, who wants to go on holiday. Gianni navigates the challenges of caring for multiple mothers while trying to stay afloat in this charming and heartwarming Italian comedy-drama.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Gianni Di Gregorio not only stars in the film, but also wrote and directed it.
Gianni-Di-Gregorio.jpg
