Gianni Di Gregorio's Mid-August Lunch

Written by Jonathan Jacobs

Director Gianni Di Gregorio is also writer and star of the stunningly charming film Mid-August Lunch (Pranzo di ferragosto in Italian). Gianni (the main character’s name is also Gianni) is a man in his late forties. He is the caretaker for his elderly mother. As the film begins Gianni reads his mother excerpts from the novel The Three Musketeers. What interests her most is the appearance of lead character d’Artagnan who is a mastermind with women…

     Gianni’s next adventure is a little visit to town (he lives in Rome) where he unveils to the audience his love for Chablis. After purchasing mineral water for his momma, and some calming potion for himself, Gianni sits with an acquaintance (Viking) outside of the wine shop. When asked how he is and what’s new he can only lamely respond that everything is always the same. Clearly, taking care of his elderly mother has consumed his time and left him without much joy. When he arrives home with the groceries (including a half broken fan he found in the open dumpster), Gianni has a visitor. The building administrator has come to discuss a matter of importance. Apparently, while taking care of his mother full time, Gianni has not paid his condominium dues and many members are interested in evicting him and his infirm mother. Surprisingly, the administrator offers Gianni a golden opportunity to erase his condo dues and also provides him a key to the elevator that will make his life easier. Generous though this is, there is a price to pay. Gianni must take care of Alfonso’s mother for two days in the same way he cares for his own. At first Gianni resists the very thought of being further tied down with yet another burden. Alfonso politely convinces him to accept the job on account of his negligence in paying the electric bill among other mandatory expenses. Two days seems like an allusion to an indefinite period of time, but Gianni realistically has no choice. Naturally his momma loves the idea and seems to have a glimmer of satisfaction from the prospect of having company her own age.

     When Alfonso brings his mother over the following day Gianni finds out the deal has been a ruse for there are two elderly women instead of one! Alfonso has brilliantly played his hand. The ladies are anything but rude but they are particular and set in their ways. They are unaware of Gianni’s thoughts on the situation and act as though he is naturally their concierge. Gianni watches jealously when Alfonso leaves in a convertible with a very young and beautiful woman. The director (Gianni, I know people) nicely juxtaposes the two situations to add fuel to the fire. Understandably, while cooking and cleaning and tending to the needs of three elderly women, Gianni begins a healthy diet of wine and cigarettes.

     This is the instant when this film transforms from being a tragedy for poor Gianni and becomes an hilarious comedy of errors for the audience. Feeling under the weather, Gianni calls for his doctor. Once evaluated as having minor angina and no hernia as he suspected, the droll doctor (Marcello Ottolenghi) asks his patient for the favor of all favors, to take care of his ailing mother for the night. This would erase his bill of course and please the doctor immensely. The woman has a laundry list of medications and more food allergies than anyone I have ever known. Despite the obvious trouble this will cause, Gianni is again in no position to refuse. This is getting ridiculous but it forces laughter for there can be no other emotional response from the audience. The director is bringing us with him on this frustrating journey.

     Alfonso’s aunt is not only forgetful, she is a bigger pain than most choosey wives (according to their husbands ladies, not my opinion!). Meanwhile, Gianni’s mother becomes aggravated by how the other house guests treat her son. There is a storm brewing and the cauldron is about to overflow.

     Immediately the doctor’s mother begins eating foods that will undoubtedly make her sick. The administrator’s Aunt insists on feeding everyone her macaroni casserole, and the mother will not leave her room because Gianni’s mother asked for her television to be returned. It is the most peaceful infighting one can imagine but the emotion behind their demands is painful. All of these ladies are in such an unfortunate position. Throughout the day Gianni has been wearing an apron which for some reason he neglects to take off. This is symbolic of his burden. His mother at first refuses to interact with their guests. Finally, after dinner, Gianni’s mother invites the other ladies to enjoy tea and television with her, the two T’s. Gianni wisely drugs the Chamomile tea and produces a soporific concoction. Bravo Gianni! However, (of course!) Marina (Alfonso’s mother) has run off to drink, smoke and enjoy the night.

     Eventually after Marina attempts to seduce the much younger Gianni, all four of the ladies sleep. In the morning they force their host to extend their stay and invite themselves to a mid-August lunch. Seeing as how it is Ferragosto (the Roman August 15 holiday commemorating the assumption of the Virgin Mary), Gianni consents and drives to town to find the only food and wine available during the mid-summer holiday. Once the meal begins the women decide they will pay Gianni any price to continue their stay. They are so happy together that their lives are forever renewed. At this sudden moment they are all best friends. They have a mutual understanding and decide to pay Gianni for an indefinite stay. For some reason Gianni laughs at this and accepts their offer. A mid-August lunch on Ferragosto turns into a life-changing arrangement that satisfies five previously depressed and largely discarded people.     

     Mid-August Lunch is brilliant in its intent. Its delivery is more like a skilled prizefighter who prides himself on technique over power. There are no shocks and surprises but there are so many dynamics the storyline is flowing like wine. This picture embodies the essence of independent films emanating from the imagination of a skilled actor/writer/producer/director. In this case Gianni Di Gregorio has hit a home run that seems to hang in the air for a long time.