The Bread, My Sweet

In the mood for a good cry? Ready for a star-crossed romance? Want another dose of the ethnic charm you experienced in My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Then hop in the car, head for Key Cinemas and get your tickets for The Bread, My Sweet. The independent film, shot in Pittsburgh in 23 days on a low budget, is corny and clichÈ filled, with an absurd plot contrivance, but the overwhelming sincerity, affection and warmth of the cast makes up for its flaws.

Scott Baio - yes, that Scott Baio - stars as Dominic Pyzola, who earns big money in the corporate world, where part of his job involves getting rid of "dead wood" for higher-ups loathe to dirty their hands. Dominic is far more comfortable in his other job, running a small biscotti bakery in the Italian-American section of town. The customers stream in and out while he works with his brothers: Eddie (Billy Mott), a motor-mouthed skirt chaser, and Pino (Shuler Hensley), a very large, very friendly pie specialist who is mildly retarded.

(SPOILER ALERT - THE FOLLOWING REVEALS BASIC PLOT POINTS) Dominic frequently pops upstairs to visit an elderly couple that have become part of his extended family. Massimo (John Seitz) is a blowhard, ranting about damned near everything at the top of his lungs. Beneath his gruff exterior lurks an old softy, of course (as required by law in the world of fiction). Bella (Rosemary Prinz), on the other hand, is pure sunshine, a sweet soul beloved by all.

Which means she is doomed.

When Dominic learns she is dying of cancer, he quits his corporate job and struggles to reunite Bella with her daughter Lucca (Kristin Minter), who moved away long ago and has been out of touch. Somewhere along the line, he decides that he could best make Bella happy, and maybe even extend her life, by pretending to fall in love with Lucca and staging a marriage for the benefit of his desperately ill friend (END SPOILERS).

Yes, I realize that the plan is utterly ridiculous. And yes, everything you suspect will happen does. But none of that matters because the parts are played so well. These people mean every word they say and they make the contrivances seem credible. While the whole cast is top notch, two performers shine especially bright. As the retarded brother Pino, Shuler Hensley moves smoothly from playful to serious, culminating in a terrific scene where he firmly establishes the dignity of the man. In the lead role, Scott Baio is a revelation. The veteran of Happy Days and Charles in Charge has grown into a fine actor, anchoring the film with a terrific performance.

The Bread, My Sweet is a mess, but what a nice mess. I laughed at the right parts and got misty more than once. Unless you"re feeling unusually cynical, I suspect you will too.