TRUE LOVE
US, 1989, 104 minutes, Colour.
Annabella Sciorra, Ron Eldard, Aida Turturro.
Directed by Nancy Savoca.
True Love was made by husband and wife team, Nancy Savoca (co-writer and director) and Richard Guay (co-writer and producer). They are natives of New York's Bronx - and this film about an Italian wedding there captures the atmosphere of its location and characters.
While the setting is particularly American Italians, the universal themes of marriage and weddings breaks through with universal appeal. The characters all talk tough, plenty of swearing - but, after one adapts to this realism, the audience can appreciate the humanity in each of the characters who are so well drawn.
The film is particularly skilful in its focusing on incidents which dramatise the characters, focus the issues - with humour and pathos. The end is uncertain, satisfyingly so - as the audience would wonder whether the marriage will succeed or not. The cast is excellent, the humour abundant, the realism sometimes off-putting but challenging.
Annabella Sciorra quickly went on to have a very strong star presence in the films of the 90s. Ron Eldard also had a strong career but not as a star. Nancy Savoca directed Dogfight, Household Saints and If These Walls Could Talk.
1.A blend of realism and comedy? A picture of the New York Bronx, the Italian community? The particular style - and universal appeal and understanding?
2.The Bronx locations, the streets, the shops, homes? Atmosphere? The musical score, the popular songs?
3.The realism and the almost documentary style? Situations, characters in their environment? Audience response to the realism - not hearts and flowers and happy endings?
4.The title and its truth, its ironies? Donna and Michael and the possibility of true love? Are they too young to marry? Will the marriage be a success?
5.The pre-credits, the video of the wedding ceremony, the introduction to the characters, their spirit and enjoyment? The end with the characters on video, all giving their good wishes to bride and groom?
6.The portrait of Donna: her age, background, her strong relationship with her mother, with her father? Her sister? Her work friends and their easy talking, giving confidences? The Italian tradition? Expectations? Her love for Michael, the presumption of marriage, wondering about its success? Seeing him in the shop, babysitting and lovemaking? The visit to the caterer and the question about blue potatoes, etc? Shopping and the window - and wearing grey or black and white? Their sequences together, their outings, discussions, out with their friends? Her fights with him, anxiety? The phone call in the middle of the night, the sexual relationship? Anger at his going to Atlantic City, being sick? With the girls, having to do all the work for the wedding? The expectations that she behave whereas Michael could have the bucks' party, etc? The girls going to the stripper show? The quiz for the ideal marriage and answering the questions? The morning of the wedding, getting dressed, concern, with her father in the car and his saying she didn't have to marry? Her knowing she would have to go through - otherwise go away from the Bronx? The ceremony, the commitment? The joy of the reception, music and dance? The clash, her going into the toilet, the argument with Michael, the issues, the uncertainty? The photos being taken, bride and groom having to smile? Would she hold the marriage together?
7.The contrast with Michael? His family, his strong relationship with his mother, the support of his uncle? Seeing him at work in the deli? His friends? With Donna, the commitment yet his wild behaviour? His sister and the babysitting? Out and around, the caterer, the shopping and his decisions - traditional? His uncle's party and their watching the sex movie? Going on to the bar? His dependence on his friends? The bucks' party and Atlantic City? The next day and his being sick? Donna's phone call, the sex sequence? The fights? The wedding day and his slowly getting dressed? His giving his consent? Enjoying the reception, the dance? His asking to go out with his friends on the wedding night, Donna's reaction, the discussions in the toilet? His having to face questions? Resolution or not? The final photo? Could he stay in the marriage?
8.The portrait of the families, the importance of family in the Italian tradition, nuclear family, the core, the story of Donna's parents and their eloping, Barbara and her husband? The sisters and their families?
9.The girlfriends, their talk amongst themselves, protective, at work, J.C. and the driving of the cab, looking after her sister? Tensions, their work for the wedding, at the reception?
10.The boys and their toughness, wild, wanting to go out, Kevin as a slob, Dom as the best man?
11.The sketch of Brian and Kevin, together, Brian approaching J.C., talking in the restaurant, his pursuing her, the proposal, her rejection and his being hurt, not talking with her - dancing at the wedding? The focus and contrast with Brian and J.C., Donna and Michael?
12.The sketch of the various relatives and friends, the warning (sticking the husband's head in the gas)? All the relatives at the ceremony?
13.The theme of preparation for marriage, the big event, its hold in people's heads and hearts, clothes talk, invitations, the catering etc? And the humour of the caterer with his spiel?
14.The staging of the ceremony, the arrival, the church, the priest, the reception, the family groups, the dancing and the music, the final photos?
15.The quality of observation, accuracy? Audiences challenged to view these real characters, liking and disliking them? Irritated by them, warming to them?
