Once Around (1991)

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

A splendid scenario about love, a masterpiece of play on the part of Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter. This scenario is original because it brings the idea, the topic of a rich, disproportionate, dazzling, invading and perfectly sincere love which happens to submerge all the family of beautiful woman involved, and this is due to the fact they forgot that kind of love they haven't known for a long time; one could love so much, and the joy could be so large, so big, so powerful, that the faith carried in such a love would upset any false life, superficial, timid, afraid way of living. Dreyfus plays this feeling with wonder, while incarnating the perfect American salesman, with the teeth long enough to stripe the floor, although this personality remains of local colour for people who use to be born salesmen. On the other hand, he is a tsunami. And Renata needs some, she takes it. But the family has a hard time taking that. Beautiful intrigue. Beautiful message. To be seen absolutely, don't miss it.

The title doesn't tell us much, but ONCE AGAIN is a richly written family drama with a dream cast and one of today's best directors. The mousy daughter (Holly Hunter) of a blue-collar Boston clan finds her true love (Richard Dreyfuss) on a bogus business trip to the islands. She's no spring chicken, and he's 20 or 25 years her senior, and recently divorced. But they they hit it off right away and he sweeps her off her feet and straight back to his digs in New York, and then on to Boston to meet her family. Problem is, Dreyfuss' character is loud, obnoxious and controlling but also kind and generous to a fault. Her folks (Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands) are very Catholic, very staid and New England-conservative. Soon enough, the happy couple is getting married and the years begin to roll by. Hunter gets pregnant, Dreyfuss never slows down or eases off, and the friction he creates within her family slowly comes to a boil. Part comedy, part drama, ONCE AGAIN is worth a look by the women in the audience and those men who will not mind watching a film that smells, however faintly, of a chick flick. Fortunately, director Lasse Hallstrom keeps it from falling completely into that category. Dreyfuss is on a real role playing a high-energy, vulgar and completely obsessive type. Aiello sings, which will be a bonus for those who have been exposed to his Tony Bennett-like pipes elsewhere, like in HUDSON HAWK. It takes a helluva long time for Aiello to come around to Dreyfuss, but watch for the key turning point, a moment that had me blubbering like Hunter's newborn. In the end, this is all about building a family, losing it and finding it again.

Great feel-good movie! A classic! The cast was incredible, and you want to hate Dreyfuss, but can't help but love him. It makes you realize that there is something good in each of us, we only have to take the time to look deeper to find it. We may not always understand why someone loves the one they love, but it is ultimately their love to give, and pray that they receive the love in return in boundless measure. I watched this movie at a point in life where I so desperately needed to learn the lessons this movie provides. Never doubt your heart, it will never steer you wrong. However, we must take the less-than-fabulous characteristics of those we love along with those we cannot-live-without and accept that combined, they make the person we so desperately love.

Yes, Richard Dreyfuss plays an arrogant man. Does he do it well! Renata (Holly) grows from him. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.Thank you to Malia Scotch Marmo! Beautiful work!Fly me to the moon, when Danny Aiello sings that. OH! I get goosebumps. Twice, too. Excellent sound track. So, family oriented. This should come back on and on and on. Today's families need to see this film.Yes, Richard Dreyfuss plays an arrogant man. Does he do it well! Renata (Holly) grows from him. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.Thank you to Malia Scotch Marmo! Beautiful work!Fly me to the moon, when Danny Aiello sings that. OH! I get goosebumps. Twice, too. Excellent sound track. So, family oriented. This should come back on and on and on. Today's families need to see this film.