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US Mall 1 - Kiss Me Guido
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List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $0.71
Your Save: $ 14.24 ( 95% )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Paramount
Starring: Craig Archibald, Anthony Barrile, Bryan Batt, Craig Chester, Anthony DeSando
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786304773307
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 6304773307
Label: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Paramount
Release Date: 1998-09-22
Running Time: 86
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: 1997-07-18
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Have a laugh with the boys
Comment: Basically, a feel good movie with a gay foundation. Very funny! Mixing straight people with gay people in a way they're forced to come to terms with, is always a funny device. Now, doing so using the most macho of male egos, the Guido-type, is the taking of this device to the extreme. But the straight guy in this film was a good egg and willing to learn how to cohabitate as a way to better his entire life. Gay humor, more so the catty wit of the gay male, kills me and this film didn't let me down. Lotta laughs and everybody wins in the end.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Lost Possibilities
Comment: [...]"Kiss Me, Guido" is a cute little piece of fluff that reminds me of "The Little Engine that Could" but didn't. It's a light little comedy about mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and mismatched romantics. The movie is little more than a comic diversion and I doubt it was supposed to be more than that. The characters and the situations are stereotypical but the cast is energetic and seems to be having a good time.
The premise of the film is funny and fairly well done but it is a good movie that could have been so much better. As a low budget campy Italian/American comedy it is funny in its simplicity but there were ideas that could have been expanded and scenes that just fell flat.
Frankie (Nick Scotti) is a dumb Italian who movies in with Warren (Anthony Barrile), a gay guy. Frankie has no idea that Warren is gay--he thought GWM meant "guy with money". When he finally realizes that Warren is gay, he stays his friend but wonders how his family will feel.
Some of the jokes are obvious and some are really bad and some of the stereotypes, while true in many cases, seem to be overly exaggerated. The movie is lightweight and does not offend which it surely could have done and what makes it watch able are the performances and the very smart dialog. What bothers me is that the film does not go out on a limb when it could have and because of that it almost becomes bland.
The movie hangs on the characterizations and the actors. Scott's character, Frankie, comes across as too nice a guy and his performance is natural and strong. He is also a beautiful man which helps us to look at him.
Even as dumb as the movie is, it is still quite funny. It is not offensive and surely could have been. The movie has something for everyone. It has straights and gays and pizza and beer, hot Italian men and pretty girls, comedy and romance. In reality it is about people and differences, all wrapped up in a comedic setting. However, so many possibilities were left unexplored. The characters keep the viewer laughing and I believe the movie had no agenda other than to entertain. It is campy and monolithic at the same time and a very funny story of cultural differences.
We must remember that behind every stereotype there is some truth and the truth of the movie is left unsaid. What the movie does do is hold up a mirror to some of us who fit the stereotypes and we are made to laugh at ourselves. The confusion and the misunderstanding create a hilarious amount of laughter. There are cute moments that could have been cuter and the gay community is accurately presented. Still, I must say, that ten years ago we would not even have had this so it is safe to say we have come a long way. Just the idea of having a straight man share an apartment with a gay male is progress. For this, if nothing else, the movie is worthwhile seeing.
Customer Rating:
Summary: OH NO, HE'S A PINOCCHIO !
Comment: "Kiss Me Guido" is titled by a single line in the film, which is heard only once. It refers to a straight Italian male, which in the gay community is not a real cool thing to be. This is a very good film about a straight guy who moves in with a gay roommate not knowing what he's really getting into. There are a lot of surprises ahead for Frankie Zito (Nick Scotti) who is searching to find a life of his own away from his Italian family. Frankie is an aspiring actor but must decide how willing he is to pay his dues to get there. This is the debut performance for Scotti who does a marvelous job portraying his character. I would love to see more from this actor who obviously decided not to persue an acting career. The casting and quality in this film is very good. Christopher Lawford and the guy who plays his new lover are the weak performances in my opinion. The rest of the cast is pretty good, especially Nick Scotti and Anthony Barrile. There are also some good extras included on the DVD, such as the commentary option you should enable for your second run through of this movie. It gives some great background on the making of the film and showcases some of the visual effects used. The commentary is done by filmmaker Tony Vitale. I felt the plot could have used a little more pizazz and I was a little disappointed that they stopped short of the films potential. I would however recommend it. Very good quality production, but don't expect it to be the best film you've ever seen.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A solid four stars
Comment: Not remotely believable for even a second, this movie is still very entertaining. The plot is reminiscent of the screwball comedies of old, with misunderstandings and double entendres bouncing all over the place, with the difference that what would have been a winking gay subtext in the past is now (of course) front and center.
I think the script could have delved more deeply into the friendship between Warren and Frankie and how they become more comfortable with each other -- as it stands, it's like there's no second act. But Nick Scotti does a great job as Frankie and proves to be physically perfect for the role. (I'm not so sure that Anthony Barille completely passes as gay, though.)
This is a great movie for a rainy afternoon or a casual evening at home with friends. My only question is why Nick Scotti didn't go on to make several more movies ... he's got real screen presence and excellent comic timing.
Look for director Tony Vitale in two scenes, playing a wise-cracking pizzeria customer.
Customer Rating:
Summary: too sterotypical
Comment: And I liked it then, but now there is so much more to choose from that is actualy thoughtful, less stereotypical, and better written.
I empathized much more with the straight character, who was trying to make the best of a bad situation. The gay character is caddy and snippy and, frankly, not very attractive.
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