The Whole Shebang

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The Whole Shebang ★★ 2001

Low-key, sentimental romantic comedy. After the heir to the Barzini fireworks company blows himself up during a little extramarital nookie, Pop (Giannini) sends for Neapolitan cousin Giovanni (Tucci, heavy on the shtick) to come to New Jersey as a replacement. Giovanni has been suicidally lovesick over a heartless beauty (Champa) but his luck may change when he meets his cousin's not-so-brokenhearted widow, Val (Fonda). Val is being wooed by Joey Zito (DeSando), whose family is eager to learn Pop's pyrotechnical secrets. A big fireworks competition (which was filmed in Naples) adds some pow. 97m/C DVD . US CA Stanley Tucci, Bridget Fonda, Giancarlo Giannini, Talia Shire, Anthony DeSando, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Jo Champa, Alexander Milani; D: George Zaloom; W: Jeff Rothberg, George Zaloom; C: Jacek Laskus; M: Evan Lurie.