Product Description

Laugh in this Big Fat Italian Funeral! When his grandfather unexpectedly dies, Anthony brings his African American girlfriend Alissa home to meet the family in Rhode Island. Chaotic and more than a little emotional, the impromptu family gathering triggers a number of confrontations, some surprising confessions and a little soul to this Italian American hamlet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29729 in DVD
• Brand: INDICAN PICTURES
• Released on: 2006-11-07
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 94 minutes

Review
The film offers amusing cultural critics and Mike Pagano is an exciting, emotionally accessible presence, crafting a character who is more complicated than he seems. Barbeau combines good-humored wisdom with well-seasoned beauty --Carla Meyer, Sacramento Bee

Review
Zesty Fun Comedy. A snappy and hilarious tale filled with wonderful characters and situations. --G. Allen Johnson, SF Chronicle

Review
Warm hearted. Lovingly shot with a dryly funny Adrienne Barbeau. --Dana Stevens, NY Times

Customer Reviews

What a surprise!
I missed this movie in theaters but my wife and her friend happened to catch it. I kept hearing how I needed to see this movie so when it finally became available on DVD I bought it right away.

I do have to admit, since my wife and I differ a bit on movies I was skeptical when I first started watching it but I was very nicely suprised. This movie is not only funny and entertaining but the writing is superb and the cast of characters are wonderful. I'm not Italian but I could still see my own family in these characters and it captured some of the quirkiness of Rhode Island very well. I would recommend this movie to anyone who are looking for a good laugh no matter if you're from Rhode Island or from an Italian family. This movie is good fun all around.

Fictional ethnic film based on a very real family!
I had the opportunity to see "A Wake in Providence" in Rhode Island where most of it was filmed and I am excited that I can now purchase it on DVD. The title of this film implies that it would be a dark film, quite the contrary. This film had to be one of the funniest films I have seen in a long time, especially being of Italian descent, I could definitely identify with the film. But it doesn't matter what ethnic group you belong to because you can imagine your family members in that situation and find yourself busting into laughter at the various antics portrayed in the film. I would guess that most people who see this film would identify the characters with their own individual family members, but when you can identify the characters with the real individuals that the characters were based, makes it even funnier. Yes, the Pagano brothers are from Rhode Island and not only did they utilize their late grandfather's home in the film, they also used the first names of many relatives for the characters. The Pagano brothers capitalized on the rich Italian traditions, quirkyness, and drama surrounding wakes and funerals, and blended them into a very entertaining film. The acting was excellent, Victoria Rowell was outstanding as the girlfriend, and the plot very realistic. This was also the first ethnic "Italian" film where the food at the house was truly an accurate representation of not only Italian food, but the Italian lifestyle, and the importance of family and food. So, no matter what ethnic group you belong to, plug your own family members into the characters, think of your own traditions and be prepared to laugh, and laugh. This is a definite film worth watching if you need a laugh.

Having a Blast
This is a must see comedy regardless of one's ethnic identity or geographic location. Everyone's family has its oddballs, secrets, oldtimers and meals from hell. Well-written and well-acted you will be laughing in the aisles or, if at home, falling off your lounger.