selffamily I started watching this purely on a whim, the summary on the cover didn't give much away. The family dynamics were demonstrated with the elder daughter's wedding, dad thought he was the star and sang a song - having been to a wedding when the dad thought the guest were there for him, I cringed - and the happy couple went their way while the younger daughter discovers that the unwilling finance she thought she had was just playing at a relationship. She then fled back to her parents' home where the wedding decorations still hung, and even tried to sleep with her parents in their bed. Honestly, this family is too close for healthy! Soon she moves away and while she is learning a sales job she meets a smarmy, brash show-off whom she clicks with immediately. They become closer and she introduces him to her family. The obvious wealth of the man is something of a stumbling block to her father, who has always been The Man, but now has another fella in the house who is around his age and with pots more money. The family all decide they really like him, as he grows on us all with his generosity and genuine affection for his adopted clan, then they decide they really don't, and the years roll on. To be honest, the family are far too controlling - if this is a typical American/Italian family, it didn't do them any favours. The ending is sweet, predictable and satisfying. The characters are well drawn and the wonderful Richard Dreyfuss steals the whole film (for me). The other family members seemed a bit miserable to be frank, they needed to lighten up a bit and see the world outside.

gcd70 Flat, uninteresting and uninspired basically sums up Lasse Halstrom's film. A different but very close family is torn apart when their daughter Renata meets and brings home the arrogant, obnoxious and much older Sam Sharp."Once Around" is too akin to "Moonstruck", with its old fashioned melodies and family drama. Halstrom tries to endear us to the Bella clan early on, but never really succeeds. Any attempt to make us fond of Dreyfuss' character Sharp (a really painful person if ever there was one) fails miserably. Fairly disappointing stuff from a reputable Swedish director.PS None of the comedy really works at all.Saturday, May 2, 1992 - Video

shakeloose Great feel-good movie! A classic! The cast was incredible, and you want to hate Dreyfuss, but can't help but love him. It makes you realize that there is something good in each of us, we only have to take the time to look deeper to find it. We may not always understand why someone loves the one they love, but it is ultimately their love to give, and pray that they receive the love in return in boundless measure. I watched this movie at a point in life where I so desperately needed to learn the lessons this movie provides. Never doubt your heart, it will never steer you wrong. However, we must take the less-than-fabulous characteristics of those we love along with those we cannot-live-without and accept that combined, they make the person we so desperately love.

barbaraavonoh Yes, Richard Dreyfuss plays an arrogant man. Does he do it well! Renata (Holly) grows from him. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.Thank you to Malia Scotch Marmo! Beautiful work!Fly me to the moon, when Danny Aiello sings that. OH! I get goosebumps. Twice, too. Excellent sound track. So, family oriented. This should come back on and on and on. Today's families need to see this film.Yes, Richard Dreyfuss plays an arrogant man. Does he do it well! Renata (Holly) grows from him. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.Thank you to Malia Scotch Marmo! Beautiful work!Fly me to the moon, when Danny Aiello sings that. OH! I get goosebumps. Twice, too. Excellent sound track. So, family oriented. This should come back on and on and on. Today's families need to see this film.