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Lesbian Lands in Lust with Guy and His Girlfriend in Love Triangle Sitcom

by Kam Williams

Puccini for Beginners

Since she couldn't say "I love you," Allegra (Elizabeth Reiser) was just dumped by her long-term lover (Julianne Nicholson) for a man after six years together. This leaves the confirmed lesbian a little curious about being with a guy herself.

So, against her better judgment, opera fan Allegra jumps into bed with the first sensitive guy she encounters, Philip (Justin Kirk), a dapper philosophy professor at Columbia. He admits to being stuck in a stale relationship and to being reenergized by this brilliant bohemian novelist whose work he's read.

However, Allegra soon learns it's not that easy for a lesbian to change her spots, for she soon finds herself also in lust with Grace (Gretchen Mol), an investment banker who would really rather have a less high pressure career as a glass blower. Because Grace is new to bi-sexuality, she is not as easily seduced by the suddenly freewheeling Allegra, though the two do start to date.

But what nobody knows is that Grace is Philip's girlfriend, and they both are now confiding in and canoodling with the alluring Allegra. How long will it take for this kinky ménage-a-trois to come to light? How will each of the players react, and which liaison is likely to last?

These are the issues which keep the tension wound tight in Puccini for Beginners a romantic comedy ostensibly inspired by Woody Allen. Filled with characters given to psychoanalytic asides, this flick might be a bit too dialogue-driven for film fans more interested in action than introspection. Even if the production ended up a little wordy in the course of tackling sensitive subject-matter in a sophisticated fashion, far be it from this critic to fault writer/director Maria Maggenti (The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love) for an overly ambitious effort which might fall short of the mark. I've blasted so many flicks which deliberately dumb themselves down, so it's only fair to heap a little praise on a picture which attempts to elevate an audience.

The characters do exhibit considerable chemistry, given all the coupling and uncoupling, and the leads are all first-rate, even if some of the bit players are at times distractingly disappointing. Director Maggenti is also blessed with an eye for cinematic capture, shooting scene after scene against a magnificent Manhattan backdrop.

Don't expect anything life-transforming, simply a gender-bending, screwball sitcom for the more cerebral demographic.

Very good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 82 minutes
Studio: Strand Releasing