Watch Puccini for Beginners

Puccini for Beginners is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2006. The movie stars Ken Barnett, Julianne Nicholson, and Brian Letscher in the leading roles. The story revolves around a young woman named Allegra who is an avant-garde bisexual writer in New York City. Allegra is trying to break up with her longtime girlfriend, Samantha, and is struggling with her sexuality. While at a party, Allegra meets a man named Philip, who is a music critic, and they strike up a conversation about opera.

After their conversation, Allegra discovers that Philip is dating Samantha, and she starts to develop feelings for him. Meanwhile, Allegra's ex-girlfriend, Grace, comes to her for advice about her own romantic troubles. Allegra is torn between her own feelings for Philip and her desire to help Grace.

As the story progresses, Allegra's feelings of confusion and ambiguity towards her romantic life begin to cause problems. She tries to date both Philip and Grace at the same time, but things get complicated. Allegra's attempts to solve her emotional troubles through sexual exploration lead to many comic misadventures.

The film is notable for its exploration of different types of relationships, including same-sex and heterosexual relationships. It presents a frank portrayal of modern romance and sexual identity, and is both humorous and poignant.

The performances in the film are strong, with Ken Barnett as Philip giving a standout performance. Julianne Nicholson is also excellent as Allegra, capturing the character's confusion and vulnerability in a nuanced and convincing portrayal.

The film's direction by Maria Maggenti is deft and assured, with a light and breezy tone that fits the material perfectly. The script, also written by Maggenti, is witty and insightful, drawing on classical opera themes to create a story that feels both timely and timeless.

Overall, Puccini for Beginners is an engaging and entertaining romantic comedy that explores complex themes of love and sexual identity with humor and heart. It is a must-see for anyone who enjoys intelligent and thoughtful comedy, and for anyone who is interested in the modern landscape of relationships and romance.