Review of Once Around

By coincidence I saw Once Around few years ago. The next day I went to the shop and bought myself a copy. Since then I've watched this film whenever I feel my own life is in a mess. I don't know why, but every time I watch Once Around I'm assured in the knowledge that it is un-important how unlike or disagreeing family members are, no argument can tear them apart. (This might of course not always be the case – but a nice thought anyway). Once Around is about the Bella Family. The head of the family Joe Bella, wonderfully played by Danny Aiello, is about to retire. His two daughters are at the age of leaving home and/or getting married. Something his son has already done. After Jan Bella (Laura San Giacoma) is married, her sister, Renata (Holly Hunter), asks her boyfriend to marry her. To her surprise and irritation he is not willing, nor ever planning on, getting married to her. Renata is forced to re-evaluate her life, and takes up a job selling apartments. There she meets larger-then-life character Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss), and falls in love with him. Sam is one of these guys that lives for the minute, and by his own rules and values. Once he becomes part of the Bella family, the usually close-knitted family starts to experience difficulties, and arguments become a daily occurrence.

Holly Hunger and Richard Dreyfuss have brought their talents together before with good result (Always), and are as successful here in creating chemistry between the two characters. Even though this film is without a doubt very sentimental and terrible American, it manages to draw up a rather believable picture while staying entertaining. I've watched this film with many of friends, and not everyone has shared my view regarding this being such a good film. But this film is worth seeing, and I can just hope it will affect you in the same pleasant manner as it does in my case. 9/10