Puccini for Beginners

USA 2005 82min
Dir: Maria Maggenti
Starring: Elizabeth Reaser, Justin Kirk, Gretchen Mol, Julianne Nicholson

Writer and opera-loving Allegra (Reaser) is taken by surprise when girlfriend Samantha, driven away by Allegra’s fear of intimacy and commitment, walks out on her to return to her ex-boyfriend/new fiancé. Samantha’s impassioned allegations seem like water off a duck’s back, until Allegra meets, and is instantly attracted to the charming, (worryingly male) professor Philip (Kirk). Determined to explore her sexual freedom and options, Allegra puts her fling down to adventure, and is equally blasé about her growing attraction for the equally gorgeous, straight and ditsy Grace (Moll). Fascinated by both but unable to decide between them, Allegra becomes the pivotal point in an unconventional and increasingly troublesome threesome.

Playing out under the scandal-mongering eyes of two New York sushi-chefs, this light, witty, and unrepentantly fluffy romantic comedy intelligently explores gender preference, sexual politics, and the terrifying process towards commitment.

JHB     Sun 4 / 8.30pm      Wed 7 / 6.30pm          Fri 9 / 8.45pm
CT    Tue 13 / 9pm         Fri 16 / 6.30pm             Sun 18 / 6.15pm