Australia's leading website for Entertainment News & Reviews
Australia's leading website for Entertainment News & Reviews
BIG MAMMA'S BOY
SUMMARY
Big Mamma's Boy follows the story of Rocco as he struggles to choose between the love of his life, Katie and his doting, over-protective Italian mother.
| YEAR: | 2011 |
| DIRECTOR: | Franco di Chiera |
| SCREENPLAY: | Matteo Bruno |
| Frank Lotito |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| STARS: | Beckett Broda (Mr. Nimwit) |
| Catherine Cao (Mrs. Wong) | |
| Vince D'Amico (Uncle Peppino) | |
| Serge De Nardo (Father Leo) | |
| Carmelina Di Guglielmo (Mamma) | |
| Nick Farnell (Davo) | |
| Natalie Gauci (herself) | |
| Ferdinand Hoang (Mr. Wong) | |
| Zohar Hoang (Wong Junior) | |
| Kristie Jandric (Jessica) | |
| Sachin Joab (Bolly) | |
| George Kapiniaris (Theo) | |
| Costas Kilias (Mr. Cotoletta) | |
| Frank Lotito (Rocco) | |
| Cassandra Macgrath (Stacey) | |
| Osvaldo Maione (Nonno) | |
| Dino Marnika (Mr Stevens) | |
| Pia Miller (Maria) | |
| Steve Mouzakis (Anton) | |
| Jack Munari (Young Rocco) | |
| Tony Nikolakopoulos (Butcher) | |
| Simon Palomares (Dr Giovanni) | |
| Joe Petruzzi (Mario) | |
| Alexis Porter (Alex) | |
| Stephanie Power (Mrs. Nimwit) | |
| Jim Russell (Larry Stokes) | |
| Holly Valance (Katie) | |
| Maria Venuti (Mrs. Cotoletta) |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVE G'S BIG MAMMA'S BOY REVIEW:
It seems that Nick Giannopoulos rebooting the Wog Boy series of films may have also unintentional rebooted the whole ‘wog’ humour idea that seemed to have died off in the 90s, because now comes Big Mamma’s Boy which aims to expose life as an Italian-Australian in the same way that Wog Boy did for Greek-Australians, unfortunately while Wog Boy had a sensational script the same cannot be said for Big Mamma’s Boy.
The film tells the story of Rocco (Frank Lotito – TV’S Thank God You’re Here & The Secret Life Of Us) an Italian real-estate agent who is pampered by his Mamma (Carmelina Di Guglielmo – TV’S Carla Cametti PD & Stingers). Rocco is happy living this life until he meets Katie (Holly Valance – Surviving Georgia, Marple: The Pale Horse) a girl that not only captures his heart but may potential steal all his clients. While Rocco hopes a relationship may develop he soon learns that Katie isn’t impressed that he is a big Mamma’s Boy while his Mamma isn’t happy that Katie isn’t Italian. It’s up to Rocco to find a way to keep both the women happy.
The sad thing about Big Mamma’s Boy is that has potential but is really let down by its script. The film is funny in parts (you’ll actually find yourself laughing out loud) but the humor is far and few between. It really seems that the film needed a top quality script editor to come along and either pull it to shreds or completely re-write it. The other surprising thing about the film is the fact that in 2011 a feature film can be released where the editing looks like it has been done by a rank amateur in their garage… to call the editing clunky is being kind at the least. While director, Franco di Chiera (Skin Deep, Death Of The Megabeasts) may be a good docco director it seems like he was dangerously out of his depth when he tried to direct a romantic comedy as he really should have been the one to pull the film back into line.
The big shining light with this film is comedian turned actor Frank Lotito. He is raw but given a little bit of time (and some more experience) it is easy to see that Lotito could become Australia’s answer to Steve Carrell. And while it is refreshing to see George Kapiniaris (Bad Language, Latte) some more screen time it is sad to see that Holly Valance really hasn’t progressed very far past her Neighbours days, although she wasn’t exactly given a lot to work with in her role either. And as for Pia Miller… well with her role you can’t really tell whether she’s got what it takes to be an actress or not.
Big Mamma’s Boy is a sad let down. The amateurish effort of the filmmakers destroys what potentially could have been a good film. Lotito may put a spark in the film but this is a reminder why some films shouldn’t be made.
RATING:- ** (out of 5)