Once Around (1991) User Reviews (50)

Genuine character study, completely wonderful, and a joy to watch.

[jessfink · 8/10 · 26 July 2001]

This is one of Lasse Hallestrom's best films. It is a richly textured, completely unique character study of a youngish woman named Renata, played superbly by Holly Hunter in what is arguably her best performance. Renata comes from a close Italian family outside of Boston, and has drifted from job to job without much confidence or direction. Her family is very supportive of her, but rather than drawing strength form their support, Renata seems to dwell safely in it, choosing to let them be her safety net.

Renata goes on a weekend junket where she is recruited to take a position selling timeshares in the Caribbean. While she is there she meets Sam, the dynamic and aggressive top salesman, who impresses her greatly when she hears him speak. A flirtation develops, and she ends up traveling back to Boston with him.

The brash, confident Sam clashes inadvertently with her family's more traditional and reserved style, and while it is evident Sam is crazy about Renata, the family has reservations about him. A compelling and utterly captivating story ensues, which unlike most small films, takes major risks, and allows every character to be completely human.

The story deals with the power of acceptance, of love, of the magic and complete idiocynracy of personal connection, and of what it means to be alive and human. Sam is difficult--he is over the top, and loud, and exhausting. Yet the film is equally balanced in showing his many kindnesses to Renata and her entire family; his generosity, his love for her, and his pride that she loves him. Their love is peculiar and inexplicable, and yet they complete one another in that indefinable way that epitomizes the mystery of love.

it's not a sappy love story. The movie shows people warts and all, and loves them anyway. All the characters are respected. By the end, I am usually in tears. Renata tells her parents, "This is MY adventure!" and when you watch this, I think you will agree.

A Great Underrated Film

[wleongittens-1 · 8/10 · 26 December 2008]

I stumbled across this film late one night when there was nothing on HBO, Showtime or the countless other channels in our now 500-channel universe. "Once Around" has a great cast, an excellent story line and a song track that I just love.

Any film that has Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter as leads and Gena Rowlands as a supporting actress should be a must see film and I don't know how this one got passed me when it was first released. It seems Richard Dryfuss's "Where Bob?" got all the attention in 1991 and this film seems to have come in under the radar.

"Once Around" displays real emotions, conflicts and family dynamics in a way that makes you laugh and makes you cry. Danny Aiello gives a great performance without going over the top and a young, Laura San Giacoma, before her "Just Shoot Me" days gives a glimpse of the star she should have become.

Congratulations to all who were involved in the endeavor.

Once is never enough

[Merely · 8/10 · 5 March 2000]

Being one of my favorite movies, I have seen it many times. It is a nice little movie that tells a nice little story. After glancing at the unbelievable negative comments here, it is clear that these few (3) users simply do not understand that the Richard Dreyfuss character is supposed to be arrogant! While they find this trait unappealing, it is CENTRAL to the film! My goodness! Without him being the way he is, the other central character played by Holly Hunter, would not be able to change and grow and ultimately be able to separate herself from her parents. This is a wonderful film where all the actors are completely believable. Danny Aiello is also remarkable and the interplay between he and Gena Rowlands is classic.

This is a movie I will never tire of watching

[fairyeyes16 · 20 October 2003]

Once Around is to me a love story - romantic love, familial love, love of life. I've seen this movie probably 10 times and I watched it again yesterday with the love of my life. He had never seen it before but agreed with me that it is a lovely film. Sam Sharp's behavior can be painful at times to watch, but he is so full of childlike belief in the goodness of everyone else that you can't help but feel real affection for him and no more so than when he kisses Joe Bella on the cheek in the most tender and loving way even after the cruel way he was treated. Gena Rowlands,Danny Aiello, Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter are all so believable in their roles. When Marilyn Bella says to Sam Sharp "I will not allow you to make my husband's family uncomfortable"(or words to that effect) she is like a mother lion defending her cubs. I love this movie and now I start to tear up even when something good is happening because I know what's coming next. I hope no one is discouraged from renting this movie because of the negative comments posted here. It's only $1.00 and you can always turn it off, but maybe you will see something heartwarming and that is pretty hard to find these days.

An Interesting Coming of Age Story

[caspian1978 · 7/10 · 28 March 2005]

Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter star in an offbeat comedy where the characters are the punchlines. Holly Hunter gives another excellent performance with a dead on Boston accent. This is her character's story more than anyone else. Although Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands add to the movie, it is Hunter's story. Laura San Giacomo is a surprise as well. She is hardly in the movie, but she is as strong as Gena Rowlands...which I may add is a giant task. If you love Dreyfuss, you will love his over the top performance as an old man who wears his heart on his sleeve. Aiello is just as good if not better. Both characters are seen as father figures. By the end of the movie, the two are more like brothers. A touching story that keeps the character development moving until the end of the movie. Not many comedies are like this one.

Engaging film About Acceptence

[eric262003 · 7/10 · 22 February 2015]

Laase Hallstrom's "Once Around" tells the tale about the Bella family, who are a tightened up Italian-American family who reside in Boston, Massachusetts. Joe (Danny Aiello) is the king of his domain who's been married for almost 35 years to his classy wife Marilyn (Gena Rowlands) and have three adult children Tony (Danton Stone), Jan (Laura San Giacomo) and Renata (Holly Hunter). Tony is already married, Jan is about to tie the knot leaving Renata anxious as to when her boyfriend Rob (Griffin Dunne) is going to propose. In a heartbreaking act, Rob confesses that he has no intentions of marrying Renata, so she moves back home to her parents.

Renata quits her job as a waitress and travel to the Caribbean where she enrolls in the business of real estate specializing in selling condominiums. There she meets a hotshot real estate agent named Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss) and is immediately attractive to his high-spirited, confident and spontaneous appearance. He gladly takes her back home to Boston where he is introduced to the Bella family. The Bellas take a while to warm up to this chain-smoking, rather radiant behaving Sam, but after a while, they progressively get adjusted to his unorthodox charisma. However, Jan does not like him which causes friction between both sisters. But after a while, Jan accepts him and gives Renata her blessing.

Sam eventually marries Renata and relocates his business from New York to Boston to spend more quality time with Renata and the rest of the Bella clan. At Joe's mother's funeral, Sam sings a tribute song for her, but Marilyn finds it rather disrespectful and rather tasteless and that Sam was the wedge that's tearing her family apart. But they eventually make up afterwards as Renata gives birth to a brand new baby girl. At the christening, Sam suffers a severe heart attack and is rushed to the hospital.

Now wheelchair bound, Sam returns home and celebrates Christmas with the Bella clan. Renata goes skating by a frozen lake as Sam and the baby look on. While she is skating Sam dies peacefully in his sleep, with his daughter by his side. At his funeral, Renata gives a eulogy thanking Sam for changing her life for the better and in his honour, Joe leads the procession on a traffic round-about.

Most people under the middle-aged demographics might find this story to be uncool and just another clichéd formulaic romantic comedy. The over 30 club might have more tolerance to it, but might refrain from using outstanding applauses which makes this movie quite forgettable. The film was dismissed of any awards and the box office ticket sales was quite low. In general this romantic comedy put in better terms is lost in the shuffle and will never be memorable. Although it is simplistic, it's not very enjoyable and the sad ending will surely turn people off.

How I felt about "Once Around" is that it is a character driven film and that the interactions and the responses towards each character is quite riveting. Sam and Renata truly deserve each other and their reasons to fall for each other is what drives people to see this film. Renata loves Sam because he's fun, caring and uplifting in charm, plus he's wealthy. Sam loves Renata because she's intelligent, easy-going and care-free. Sure it takes a while for the other Bellas to get used to him because his charm can cross the line to the point of obnoxiousness and refuses to accept when enough is enough.

Over the years, a myriad of romantic comedies offer men and woman who fall in love avoiding romantic interludes and just randomly fall in love. "Once Around" is different being that this couple has a legit purpose why Sam and Renata should belong together. Sam's high-strung behaviour caused his previous wife to divorce him, while Renata's ex-boyfriend refuses to marry her. The two come from different worlds. Renata has no savings or really any career driven ambitions except just to get by and her family is her only social existence and outsiders are not welcome unless they're willing to commit in marriage.

There's no doubt that "Once Around" has more good qualities than bad ones. The flaws don't keep this film from being bad. It takes a while for Joe and Marilyn to feel comfortable of Sam's outspoken behaviour. The situation involving Jan's subtle affair with family friend Jim (Greg Germann) was handled oddly. Sam's over-the-top toast at Jim's wedding reception garnered no responses. And at times it felt Sam's outrageous personality was too manipulative for Renata who just seems too easily charmed by him. but these flaws shouldn't hinder your spirits. If you like low-key romantic comedies you have to check this one out.

Full Of Laughs & Tears

[domino1003 · 7/10 · 28 April 2003]

This is a great movie that didn't get a fair break when it was first released. The cast is wonderful, especially the re-teaming of Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter (Both were fantastic in the film, "Always," too).

Renata Bella (Hunter)comes from a close knit family. Her parents (Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands), sister (Laura San Giacomo) and brother (Danton Stone) are a happy bunch. But poor Renata seems groundless and had just broken up with her boyfriend. During a seminar, she meets Sam Sharpe (Dreyfus), a man that is full of life and brutally honest. They fall in love and she takes him to meet her family, who are dismayed by his behavior and equally dismayed when Sam marries Renata. She doesn't understand why her family dislikes Sam, and this causes a rift between the once tight family. When an illness befalls Sam, the family rallies together to make sure he's o.k.

This is not a woman's film where you get all emotional, but a film about the importance of family. Great addition to your collection.

fighting for nothing

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 20 December 2020]

In Boston, Renata Bella (Holly Hunter) is doing badly in love. Her younger sister Jan (Laura San Giacomo) gets married. Her parents (Danny Aiello, Gena Rowlands) are happily in love. For her love life, her boyfriend tells her that he would never marry her and dumps her. She gets a new job selling time shares in the Caribbean. She goes there to take the seminar and falls for brash charismatic presenter Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss).

Renata is adorable. I don't care that much about Sam but despite that, the family's reaction to him has no great support. It may work if he's a drunk. He's older but that's never used as an excuse. It seems mostly his self-confidence and commanding personality which is pushing the family apart. That may still work if the family is a bunch of wallflowers. This family is full of big personalities with big personality actors. They are well equipped to tell Sam whatever they want. It would never get to this point. This seems wrongly considered. Sam needs to be more flamboyant and the family needs to be more shy. The clash of personalities is expected but is not justified.

An utterly superb film

[Oskado · 10/10 · 16 February 2004]

An extremely well-crafted script developing a wide range of individual psychologies within an extended family, together with good casting and acting make this an exceptional film. None of the characters is, to my taste, naturally attractive or charismatic, but as personalities striving to maintain stability in their lives, they are fascinating and fuel a continual dramatic tension.

Dreyfuss plays the most enigmatic character, the one "tearing apart" the family, and so has the central role, but his past remains a mystery. When we first encounter him he is alone, a man in his sixties perhaps, staring out over the sea, with behind him a divorce only recently finalized. He delivers a materialistic and self-gratifying speech, with horrifically inappropriate humor, to a flock of aspiring condominium salespeople and proceeds to "fall in love" and quickly marry the immature "baby" member of the film's subject family. But behind his frequently obnoxious salesman's rhetoric and showy possessions, just who is he, and what are his motives? Why did his prior marriage fail? What scars does he bear from the 40s, when he was born in Lithuania and somehow escaped with at least his mother for the States? While looking out over the sea was he contemplating suicide? Was suicide in his mind when he met the simpleton girl on a rooftop with no guard rail and opted to grab on to her for help? His background is eclipsed behind the family's bourgeois Italian-American heritage, as though only Italian ethos can matter, or can be stylishly accepted - so he's given little opportunity to explain. Otherwise, the emptiness and tactlessness of his impromptu speeches seem to underscore an ingrained sense of the absurd and perhaps of despair.

Dreyfuss' character has large gaps, gaping scars - like the ragged edges of a piece of a puzzle, a piece that fits perfectly into the poorly developed, ragged edges of the family's youngest and otherwise socially inept and professionally helpless daughter. Together they form a whole - not necessarily people we'd like to know or befriend, but - but they drive the film to a dramatic climax.

As said, this film develops the characters of a extended family - not just the two above. This is a film well worth seeing and thinking about - and it seemed to me, just off and on (and in some close-ups) a little Swedish in its sensitivity.

Somewhere in between

[lancekoz · 7/10 · 14 October 2006]

I just saw this for the first time and I feel it means well, but the writing and the pacing miss the mark a little. I can see why many people love it, though, and I have a few movies like this in my own favorites category. "Crimes of the Heart" and "Love and Death On Long Island" for example, and the masterful "Moonstruck".

The reason I'm posting is that I was living in Durham, NC when this film was made. The exterior shots of the large family home were done there, and some of the home interiors were. It was early spring in NC before too many of the trees started blooming, which allowed it to resemble a Boston winter. I guess the low-cost of the supporting help and convenience of the balmy temperatures made this change of locales worth the trouble.

Just thought true fans might want to know.

Obnoxious and boring

[Thaleia · 3/10 · 8 September 1999]

A crop of strong actors led down the wrong path. Who told these guys to make this movie? The lead, Richard Dreyfuss, is obnoxious and annoying and the characters' behavior doesn't always make sense. Don't bother unless you are a fan of one of the actors or your cablevision is out.

Family values beyond all

[SamRag · 9/10 · 12 August 2002]

By coincidence I saw Once Around few years ago. The next day I went to the shop and bought myself a copy. Since then I've watched this film whenever I feel my own life is in a mess. I don't know why, but every time I watch Once Around I'm assured in the knowledge that it is un-important how unlike or disagreeing family members are, no argument can tear them apart. (This might of course not always be the case – but a nice thought anyway). Once Around is about the Bella Family. The head of the family Joe Bella, wonderfully played by Danny Aiello, is about to retire. His two daughters are at the age of leaving home and/or getting married. Something his son has already done. After Jan Bella (Laura San Giacoma) is married, her sister, Renata (Holly Hunter), asks her boyfriend to marry her. To her surprise and irritation he is not willing, nor ever planning on, getting married to her. Renata is forced to re-evaluate her life, and takes up a job selling apartments. There she meets larger-then-life character Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss), and falls in love with him. Sam is one of these guys that lives for the minute, and by his own rules and values. Once he becomes part of the Bella family, the usually close-knitted family starts to experience difficulties, and arguments become a daily occurrence.

Holly Hunger and Richard Dreyfuss have brought their talents together before with good result (Always), and are as successful here in creating chemistry between the two characters. Even though this film is without a doubt very sentimental and terrible American, it manages to draw up a rather believable picture while staying entertaining. I've watched this film with many of friends, and not everyone has shared my view regarding this being such a good film. But this film is worth seeing, and I can just hope it will affect you in the same pleasant manner as it does in my case. 9/10

Annoying and on the silver screen.

[Xridley · 2/10 · 4 September 1998]

It is difficult to imagine a movie which is this bad and yet still fails to offer even unintended laughs. The role Richard Dreyfus plays is so unimaginably annoying, that you pray for commercials to come fast and furiously. I mention commercials only because I KNOW no-one would never admit to paying real $$ to see this shlock.

A funny and serious movie about a man who meets his wife and tries to fit in with her family

[rossgolden · 30 May 2004]

In my opinion 'Once Around' is a movie that was clearly never marketed correctly. It is a well written and has wonderfully created characters each with there own strengths and weaknesses. I admit that only reason I thought to watch it at first is that I find Holly Hunter totally enchanting. Upon watching a few minutes I was sucked in to find out what happens next. Granted most would consider it a 'chick flick', but I generally do not like 'chick flicks'. The trials and tribulations that each member of the family go through upon meeting 'Sam'(Richard Dreyfuss) and the things said amongst the characters are sad, funny and a good representation of life within families. It makes you think, laugh and even cry (yes I admit to it). Anybody who has ever tried to fit in with their spouse's family will definitely find this movie truly entertaining and possibly closer to the truth than parody. Richard Dreyfuss plays the part of a salesman really well. Danny Aiello plays the father of Holly Hunter and really makes the movie in my opinion. The supporting cast does a really good job of playing a family that has inner turmoil like most families tend to have. I think most people who watch this movie will be able to relate to this unsung gem!

A very underrated movie

[Tob1 · 8/10 · 1 November 1998]

There are scenes in "Once around" when you think the Dreyfuss character is just too much. He's so in your face that you just want him to disappear. Despite this, his character is a very lovable person who seems to care about the ones he loves, just that he might do that a little too much. Sometimes you wonder if he's a conman or if he really is that caring, but in the end you find out that he really is that caring. This movie has a lot of funny lines and scenes, it may not be the best movie I've seen but for sure one of the funniest and moving ones.

Sam guided this movie's ruin.

[lar3579 · 3/10 · 6 January 2007]

During one insomnia driven night/morning, I found this movie playing. I enjoy Holly Hunter's acting so I thought I would watch this film "Once Around." I found Sam's character to be wildly inappropriate and selfish. Sam could not take "no" for an answer on anything he wanted to do. The funeral scene in which Renata's father had buried his mother was particularly telling of Sam's poor qualities. Sam insisted upon singing his Lithuanian song to celebrate Joe's mother. His wife intervened politely and then quite sternly, but Sam was relentless in believing he was right. Not until Joe and Renata became involved in the seemingly silly argument was Sam forced to step aside albeit briefly. The next opportunity to rub his precious song in their faces was just after Renata gave birth. As the Renata's family circled her and her little baby girl, Sam brought in some musicians so he could sing his damn song. If I had been the matriarch or patriarch of the family I would have slugged him. Sam would not let anyone deter him from doing what he always wanted.

I thought the screenwriters did not confront the allegations brought up between the Renata's sister and Joe. The conversation occurred during the wedding reception and Joe thought Sam was essentially buying off Renata and not treating her as an equal. I agreed and yet this was never disproved in the movie. Frankly, the age gap, economic disparity, and personality differences made me a disbeliever of this so-called true love. Sam was deranged and could probably qualify for a couple of personality and mental disorders found in the DSMVI. Sam was also too friendly with Renata's mother, sister, and almost every other female character. He was a rich playboy with money to rule and behave as he wished. While not a total jerk in regards to providing for Renata and her family, he lacked the moral intellect and partnership skills necessary for true human relationships.

Sam soured my viewing and enjoyment of the film. His death was actually a relief. The supporting cast did an excellent job, but with one of the main characters so abhorrent and the storyline cautious, the movie was a disappointment.

A sentimental favourite

[refill · 9/10 · 15 November 2002]

I just watched this movie for the third or fourth time, and it's aged extremely well. Yes, Lasse Hallström shamelessly pushes the limits of sentimentality (heck, it's a trademark with him), but I love this movie even at its sappiest.

Every member of the ensemble is outstanding, particularly Danny Aiello. Richard Dreyfuss creates a character that miraculously manages to be utterly lovable and repulsive at the same time.

It's a film filled with surprises and unforgettable moments. Great script by Malia Scotch Marmo -- layered, intelligent, uncompromising and unconventional. Nine stars!

Not funny, not interesting

[gcd70 · 3/10 · 7 September 2007]

Flat, uninteresting and uninspired basically sums up Lasse Halstrom's film. A different but very close family is torn apart when their daughter Renata meets and brings home the arrogant, obnoxious and much older Sam Sharp.

"Once Around" is too akin to "Moonstruck", with its old fashioned melodies and family drama. Halstrom tries to endear us to the Bella clan early on, but never really succeeds. Any attempt to make us fond of Dreyfuss' character Sharp (a really painful person if ever there was one) fails miserably. Fairly disappointing stuff from a reputable Swedish director.

PS None of the comedy really works at all.

Saturday, May 2, 1992 - Video

Stay till the end.

[davede · 24 September 2000]

I started watching this movie on some movie channel and I kept watching because I knew I had seen it, but I completely forgot about it, and was SHOCKED to find out it was directed by Lasse Hallstrom. I couldn't remember a darn thing about it. (and us movie geeks hate that) Every actor in this movie are all "A" list. And that alone should keep you watching it. It has some tough parts to get through. But I advise you to stick to the end. I also agree that you have to accept (like Her family) Dreyfus's character for who he is, allow it to be part of the plot. If you can make it through the hard parts, you will be rewarded at the end. And remember this was made before Hollywood killed Frank Sinatra by putting a song of his in every darn movie. This is not a GREAT movie, but a darn good one, with a touching ending.

Unexpected Ending, Funny Movie

[lmpotts · 10/10 · 29 June 2005]

I loved this movie. Yes, it is true that Sam (Richard Dreyfuss) is an obnoxious and over-the-top salesman. I kept expecting him to be a total jerk in the relationship and break Renata's heart. But he didn't, and I think it is a wonderfully comedic love story. Danny Aiello is great as the stereotypical Italian father. Once Around takes a humorous look at family relationships & dynamic, and how those dynamics are affected by a variety of traditions, cultures and heritage. It also shows the growing up of a daughter, where she finally starts to loosen some of the strings holding her to her family, and starts to live her own life, her own adventure.

once around with this film is more than enough....

[rupie · 4/10 · 2 July 1999]

A romantic comedy that is not really romantic and certainly not very funny. Dreyfuss' character is wholly unsympathetic and his death scene is just silly. A tedious and annoying bore of a movie. As a Bostonian I found the only redeeming feature was the locales. (And anyone who thinks you can stop midway driving over the Longfellow Bridge has never driven over the Longfellow Bridge).

Great acting piece.

[Peach-2 · 8/10 · 16 January 1999]

There is some brilliant acting in Once Around and it is a very entertaining film. Lasse Hallstrom is becoming one of the best directors in Hollywood and he has a steady hand with this piece. Theo Van de Sande's cinematography is awesome and the score from James Horner is very good. The character Richard Dreyfuss plays in this film is annoying but very interesting. Danny Aiello shows us that he is capable of some terrific moments and Holly Hunter is good as usual. Good film.

Barbed comedy-drama with much internal unhappiness and little point...

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 25 December 2006]

Richard Dreyfuss, in his patented-jerk mode, plays the self-centered, provoking, irritating new husband of family-oriented nice girl Holly Hunter, a woman in her thirties who has never been married before. As a real estate sharpie exuding snake-oil charm, Dreyfuss' character overtakes the picture. Once Hunter, her parents and her sister come to realize that he's nothing but a pain, the film hits a snag and doesn't have anywhere to turn except to sentiment (which doesn't quite play). Malia Scotch Marmo's original screenplay is curiously foul-mouthed and ill-mannered. Director Lasse Hallström tries out different tones within the context of a fairly straightforward familial theme but the results are off-putting. Nice supporting cast, including Gena Rowlands and Danny Aiello as Hunter's mom and dad, but a mostly unpleasant experience. ** from ****

Excellent film, excellent cast.

[dmwigmore · 11 February 2002]

I found this movie/the story mesmerizing. Holly Hunter is exceptional, but then the entire cast is perfect. I don't share the thought that Dreyfuss' character was obnoxious. I think he was just full of life and willing to lay it on the line, all the time, because you only go around once. Hence the title, Once Around.

He didn't play it safe. I had a hard time understanding why the Bella family could not accept him. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain by developing their relationship with him.

I actually felt the family members were envious of Renata and Sam and their love for each other.

It's a great study in family dynamics. It's well-worth watching. I'm going to watch it again, today.

Gold! - sure to become a Shawshank

[thefish147 · 8/10 · 4 September 2005]

We have all met Richard Dreyfuss character - loud, passionate, enthusiastic & overbearingly positive - life is pure joy for him & Holly Hunter falls madly in love. For Holly's family the culture shock of this man on their quiet "normal" family life is tough to take - as Dreyfuss gradually takes over more and more the family are torn between their happiness ( sometimes ) for their daughter / sister & their own sanity. Superb performances, particularly from Dreyfuss & excellent dialogue - this is a little gem - think this gave the director his big break & whilst good films followed, Chocolate, Cider House Rules etc. this has to be his masterpiece