Once Around Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman brings home a loud, rich salesman, and her family gets *real* Italian about it.

🍿 Once Around: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Renata’s Crossroads

Renata Bella is a young woman feeling adrift in her life, lacking direction in her career and love life. After attending her sister’s wedding, she breaks up with her boyfriend, who admits he doesn’t plan to marry. Disheartened, Renata decides to take a sales seminar in the Caribbean, hoping for a fresh start.

Unexpected Romance with Sam

At the seminar, Renata encounters Sam Sharpe, a charismatic and successful real estate salesman much older than her. Sam’s flamboyant personality and zest for life captivate Renata, leading to a whirlwind romance. He brings her back to Boston to meet his family, marking a turning point in her life.

Clash of Personalities

Sam’s boisterous and unconventional behavior clashes with the traditional values of Renata’s close-knit Italian-American family, especially her father, Joe. Despite Renata’s attempts to bridge the gap, tensions rise as Sam’s presence disrupts the family dynamic. This sets the stage for a series of emotional confrontations and heartfelt moments.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Renata Bella (Holly Hunter): A struggling woman who finds unexpected love but struggles to balance it with her family’s expectations.
• Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss): A charismatic and flamboyant older salesman who sweeps Renata off her feet but clashes with her family.
• Joe Bella (Danny Aiello): Renata’s father, a traditional and protective man who initially disapproves of Sam and his disruptive influence.
• Marilyn Bella (Gena Rowlands): Renata’s mother, who tries to mediate between her husband and Sam while maintaining family harmony.
• Jan Bella (Laura San Giacomo): Renata’s sister, whose wedding triggers Renata’s life changes and who later judges Sam.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe Bella: “Get rid of the beard. You look like a goddamn terrorist.” – Joe expresses his initial disapproval of Sam’s appearance.
• Renata Bella: “This is MY adventure!” – Renata declares her independence and choice to be with Sam.
• Marilyn Bella: “I will not allow you to make my husband’s family uncomfortable.” – Marilyn firmly protects her family from Sam’s disruptive behavior.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,851,083
• Worldwide Gross: $14,851,083

💥 Once Around Reviews

Personal Review

I really loved this movie! I found myself connecting with Renata as she tried to find her place, and Sam was such a force of nature. I thought the scenes with the family were the best. It felt so real and even though Sam was over-the-top, you could see how much he loved Renata and her family. The ending made me cry. I will definitely watch this movie again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of family dramas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about unconventional romance”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven films”
  • “Anyone interested in movies set in Boston”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language”
  • “Mature themes regarding family dynamics and relationships”
  • “Brief mentions of infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A heart-warming story with a stellar cast. Dreyfuss is fantastic, though at times too overwhelming. Hunter balances the film with her signature charm. Aiello and Rowlands shine as the parents. It’s a film about acceptance, love, and the beautiful messiness of family.
• N/A: “Hallström crafts a family dramedy that, while quirky, resonates with its raw portrayal of family dynamics and the challenges of accepting outsiders. Dreyfuss is in full force, delivering a memorable, if occasionally grating, performance.

Audience Reactions

Richard Dreyfuss’ performance as the eccentric Sam Sharpe is both infuriating and endearing.: Viewers appreciate the movie’s honest depiction of family dynamics and the challenges of accepting someone different.

The film resonated because it portrays the difficulty of maintaining family bonds when new relationships challenge traditional values.: Fans were touched by the film’s exploration of love, acceptance, and the importance of family.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming and quirky film that explores family dynamics and the challenges of accepting someone who is different.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lasse Hallström’s first American film.”
• “The film explores themes of family dynamics, acceptance, and finding love in unexpected places.”
• “Filming locations included Longfellow Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts.”

🖥️ How to Watch Once Around?

Currently, ‘Once Around’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as offerings may change. Physical copies (DVDs) can often be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Once Around, you might like these similar films:

• Moonstruck (1987): Features a strong Italian-American family dynamic with themes of love, family conflict, and finding happiness in unexpected relationships.
• Terms of Endearment (1983): Explores complex mother-daughter relationships and the challenges of family life, with both comedic and dramatic elements.
• Untamed Heart (1993): A romantic drama about a young woman who falls in love with an eccentric, somewhat flawed man, similar to the dynamic between Renata and Sam.

🛒 Once Around Related Products

• Boston Movie Map – Movie Locations Travel Poster Print (12×18): A unique gift for Bostonians or a souvenir for visitors! This meticulously crafted print showcases key movie locations around Boston. A great way to celebrate movie history and a city with so much to offer.
• The Essential Frank Sinatra: A collection of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits, available as a digital download for endless listening. Includes the iconic Fly Me to the Moon, featured prominently in the film.
• Old Italian Sayings: Proverbs and Wisdom from Another Time: A selection of sayings to connect to their Italian heritage.
• The Italian Cookbook for Beginners: Over 100 Classic Recipes to Cook Like a Nonna: Over 100 classic recipes to cook like a Nonna.

🎧 Soundtrack

Once Around features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Fly Me to the Moon” – performed by Frank Sinatra
• “The Glory of Love” – performed by Danny Aiello

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Once Around

Remember that iconic scene where Danny Aiello belts out ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ in ‘Once Around’? It’s pure movie magic and totally worth reliving!

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