Tord S Eriksson This is a real pearl in the flood of movies that pass our steps - we have a few thousand - unassuming, simple and heart-warning, about an elderly guy (about my age) who takes care of his mother, full-time. Economically, it it is a disaster, but then one day the owner of the house where he, and his mom, is living in, comes and wants the rent, and all the other costs, that are outstanding, unless he takes owner's mom as a border over the weekend, and then lady after lady arrives, till he has a handful of them in the little flat. But he just manages it.His best friend Viking helps with the shopping, and then the weekend is over, but the ladies refuses to leave, and that's where we leave the scene. A real pearl of a movie, well worth all its prizes! Seldom is a DVD so well done as in the 'Mid-August Lunch': as the first interview with the writer/director/main actor is another pearl (the director talking about the film and its ladies), while the second interview concentrates of his life, and the ladies, slightly more formal, but just as great! The third interview is solely about the ladies, and the other male actor Viking (actually called Vichingo) - equally good, with the director as the interviewer.Great interviews, great ladies! A truly must-see!

tomgillespie2002 Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio) spends the majority of his time looking after his elderly and demanding mother (Valeria De Franciscis). His bills are way overdue and his fellow tenants are becoming uneasy with the fact that he never puts into the kitty. A friend offers to help him out only if he takes his mother and aunt for a while, and soon his once- quiet apartment becomes overrun with chatty and restless old ladies. After a medical check-up, he agrees to take his doctor's mother on board as well. Soon Gianni is struggling with keeping up with the ever- increasing demands and mischievous behaviour from his new inhabitants.Ending at around the 71 minute mark, this film does quite a lot in a relatively slight running time. It manages to be sweet, funny and moving in a very subtle way, that doesn't completely hit home until after the film has ended. While a film of similar theme may patronise old age and add sentimentality, Mid-August Lunch portrays old age as something to cherish. The old ladies seem to come to life when together, when previously Gianni's mother had been almost melancholy on her own. The bubbly Marina (Marina Cacciotti) sneaks out at night and a panicked Gianni finds her drinking and smoking in a bar, only for Gianni to have trouble putting her to bed later as she flirts and demands to play cards. Grazia (Grazia Cesarini Sforza) uses it as an opportunity to eat baked pasta, something her doctor son has banned her from eating.I really got a feel for Italian life from the film - family, friends, great food, fine wine. In fact, the whole film washes down like a glass of chianti. This is a lovely little gem from actor-director Gianni Di Gregorio, and it's dealt with in an unfussy and sensitive manner. Di Gregorio also co-wrote the screenplay for 2008's Gomorrah, which I would also highly recommend.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com

jdesando Ordinarily I praise minimalism without reservation, but with Mid-August Lunch I must protest: It's too short (75 minutes) because the elderly ladies are precious and meant to be expanded as characters. This short-story like drama depicts a middle-aged man, Giani (played charmingly by writer/director Gianni Di Gregorio), babysitting four lively ladies mostly in their eighties.Not much happens, a characteristic of minimalism, except an AWOL and attempted seduction by the randiest and most youthful of the ladies. Otherwise, Giani goes to the local bodega to buy supplies and imbibe wine while he girds himself for the day of his charges.It's all pleasant, local color with a hint of a theme about the dignity of the elderly and the importance of memory.

druid333-2 Gianni is a man entering the later years of his life. He has no job,no wife,drinks perhaps a bit too much for his own good,but seems to be content in looking after the needs of his somewhat demanding mother. They both live in a flat in the centre of Rome,despite the fact that Gianni hasn't paid the rent in three years. The landlord offers to wave the rent money if Gianni will look after his equally aged mother for the weekend,which Gianni has no choice but to say yes to. Gianni ends up the care taker of a house full of elderly Italian ladies for the weekend (the landlord shows up with not just his mother,but her sister,as well). Add on top of that,his doctor manages to sweet talk Gianni into also looking after his aged mother. Gianni now has to play host,wet nurse & baby sitter,all rolled into one (eccentric behavior,hissy fits & other things figure into it)for four demanding women. All of this makes for a low key,loving homage to family love & respect for the aged. Gianni DiGregorio,screenwriter of the acclaimed Mafia drama,'Gamorra' from a few years back,wears three hats in the gentle comedy/drama,'Pranzo De Ferragosto' (released in most English speaking countries as,'Mid August Lunch' (director/co writer,with Simone Riccardini,as well as acts in the central role as Gianni). Gian Enrico Bianchi is the director of photography of this (mostly)chamber piece,with editing by Marco Spoletini. Most of the cast go by they're own names,with Valeria DeFranciscis,as Gianni's mother,Maria Cali,as Aunt Maria,Grazia Santagata as Grazia,Alfonso Santagata as Alfonso,Marinina Caccoiotti,as Alfonso's mother (yep,you guessed it), Marinina,with Maricello Ottolenghi,as the doctor,and Luigi Marchetti as Gianni's neighbour & friend,Viking. This is a film that will appeal to those who are tired of the usual glut of Hollywood bombast (car chases, explosions,graphic violence and sexual situations,not to mention vulgar language),and want a breezy,Italian comedy/drama that goes down like a nice piece of light,Italian puff pastry,with no ill effects. Not rated by the MPAA,this film serves up little that could offend,outside of much drinking of alcohol,and a bit of smoking. Would possibly bore most under the age of 35.