Everybody Wants to Be Italian

Everybody Wants to Be Italian is a light-hearted romantic comedy that debuted in 2007. Directed and written by Jason Todd Ipson, this film stars Jay Jablonski, Cerina Vincent, and John Kapelos, guaranteeing a delightful performance from start to finish. The film navigates love, cultural identity, friendship, and the elusive idea of soulmates. The comedic backdrop of the film works as an enjoyable icing on this sweet, captivating, and meaningful journey of romance.

The story revolves around Jake Bianski (Jay Jablonski), a likable man who is stuck in the past, struggling to let go of a relationship that has ended eight years ago. By profession, he is a single, blue-collar worker who runs a Boston fish shop. The previous love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Isabella, left him heartbroken and alone. Hitched to his bitter past and in an attempt to move on, he's developed a misplaced obsession to find an ideal Italian woman to marry, as he believes it is his destiny to eventually settle down with an Italian.

On the other hand, Marisa Costa (Cerina Vincent) made her introduction as a smart, vibrant, and beautiful lady who also happens to own a bird shop. She is half-Italian and circumstantially single, and isn't struggling with moving on from a past relationship like Jake, but has her journey of figuring out what she wants from love and life. Once Jake and Marisa's path cross at a friend's party, the sparks fly, leading them on a roller-coaster ride of romance, mistaken identities and a whole lot of Italian culture.

Jake, misinformed by his nosy pals – played by the brilliant John Kapelos and John Enos III – believes Marisa to be 100% Italian, and this entices him, leading him on a journey of pretend and pursuit. Simultaneously, Marisa also erroneously thinks that Jake is Italian and thus, their romantic journey begins with both of them pretending to be full-blooded Italians. The relationship dynamic showcases how they navigate cultural bromides and cross-cultural communication gone haywire as they fall deeper into a web of deception to impress each other.

This film smartly uses the theme of Italian culture, playing with stereotypes, and infusing humor creatively in everyday situations and encounters. The audience is embraced with true Italian heritage through food, cultural customs, vibrant markets, language snafus, and an overdose of expressive hand gestures. The narrative circles around their courtship and the hilarious and at times awkward instances arise due to their consistent effort to 'out-Italian' each other. The running theme of 'everybody wants to be Italian' brings in humor while also highlighting cultural appreciation.

The performances by Jay Jablonski and Cerina Vincent are commendable, and they effectively explore the emotional complexity of their characters. Their chemistry is palpable, and they bring authenticity to the screen, making the audience root for their union throughout the film. John Kapelos as the ultimate wingman shines and provides not just humor but adds weight to the storyline.

Everybody Wants to Be Italian is abundant in charm, and although it treads the path of a typical romantic comedy, it manages to stand out due to its unique premise. This journey of mistaken identities, romantic follies, and an ultimate quest for love proves to be a memorable one. The narrative combines humor, emotion, and the importance of being true to oneself for a relationship to work successfully. This film speaks to those who enjoy an easy, breezy mix of romance and comedy, and hits all the correct notes for a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

In its entirety, the film is a delightful mixture of comedy and romance served on an Italian plait, exploring the hardships of love and the realization of one's cultural identity. Packed with humor, charm, and lessons of being true to oneself, Everybody Wants to Be Italian makes for an enjoyable watch for everyone who adores a slice of life wrapped up in laughter and love, bound by the essence of Italian flair.