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PUCCINI FOR BEGINNERS Send This Review to a Friend
Allegra (Elizabeth Reiser) has been sleeping with Samantha (Julianne Nicholson). Samantha walks out because of Allegra’s lack of commitment. Allegra starts sleeping with Philip (Justin Kirk). Allegra meets Grace (Gretchen Mol) and they start sleeping together. Allegra doesn’t know that Grace used to be Philip’s girlfriend. Philip doesn’t know Grace has been sleeping with Allegra. Get it?
Such are the sexual mix-ups in “Puccini for Beginners,” a comedy about finding one’s bedroom identity and soul mate that becomes a bit wearing after a while but nonetheless is mostly enjoyable as a result of good casting and characters who have recognizable attributes. The three women and a guy, New Yorkers all, are people who read, write and sometimes go to opera. They are not the sort ditsy brainless beings around whom most comedies are built these days.
They are also attractive, each in his or her way, which makes it easy to spend time with them. What is fascinating about this look at sexual exploration is that the women seem to be able to veer from one sex to another without adherence to the idea that sexuality is ingrained rather than learned. I’m told by one more familiar with the ways of lesbians and gays than I am that women have a greater range of exploration in this respect. Arguments accepted.
In any event, “Puccini for Beginners,” often smartly written and always smartly directed by Maria Maggenti, provides a fresh comedic and romantic look at a group of people trying to find themselves and entertaining us in the process. I also enjoyed seeing Julianne Nicholson and Justin Kirk again, as they were also so good in the recent “Flannel Pajamas.” A Strand Releasing release.
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