If you want a comedy that is as off-the-wall as it is refreshing, then look no further than Catherine Hardwicke’s Mafia Mamma. This fish-out-of-water actioner mixes The Godfather and Eat, Pray, Love into a wine vat and the result is an endearing farce that shines thanks to Toni Collette.
Always one for detail and legitimacy, Hardwicke gives this film a boost by filming in Rome and casting real Italian actors who add a lot of body to the sauce. Yet the wonderful sets and locations would be noting if she didn’t understand the characters. Even with its implausible comedic set up, the film delivers because of the earnestness of the portrayals. Even though they don’t give Oscars for comedies, this has such effortless charm that it’ll stick with you after the heads, I mean credits roll.
We’ve admired her work for years because of how she creates such wonderful visuals. Not just set dressing, but the whole set. Hardwicke has a background and former life in architecture, but she found her calling in the world of film. Before making the jump to directing, she’s worked with directors like David O. Russell and Cameron Crowe as a production designer where she provided the literal visual backbone to films such as Tombstone, Three Kings and Vanilla Sky.
Hardwicke keeps close working relationships with several collaborators. One such talent is composer Alex Heffes, and last month we spoke to Alex about the fun flavors he brought to this comedy. On today’s episode, we got to have an all too brief chat with Hardwicke about Mafia Mamma and stories from the set. It’s bite-sized fun so pull up a chair, break out the Chianti, and enjoy our interview with Catherine the Great!
Catherine Hardwicke’s new action-comedy, MAFIA MAMMA, starring Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci. MAFIA MAMMA is a hilarious, action-packed comedy about a suburban American woman who inherits her grandfather’s Mafia empire, and guided by the Firm’s trusted consigliere defies everyone’s expectations, including her own, as the new head of the family business.
Mafia Mamma Opened In Theaters on April 14 from Bleecker Street.
