Little Italy (2018 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Italy |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Donald Petrie |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Vinay Virmani |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Mateo Messina |
| Cinematography | Thom Best |
| Editing by | Michele Conroy |
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| Release date(s) | August 24, 2018 (Canada) September 21, 2018 (United States) |
| Running time | 102 minutes |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | CA$8 Million |
| Money made | $1.4 Million |
Little Italy is a 2018 Canadian-American romantic comedy film. It was directed by Donald Petrie. The story is about two young people who fall in love. Their families, however, are rivals in the pizza business. The movie stars Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen. It also features Danny Aiello in one of his last film roles.
Contents
Story of Little Italy
A Pizza Feud Begins
Nikki and Leo grew up in the Little Italy neighborhood of Toronto. Their families ran a pizza business together. One day, Nikki's father Sal and Leo's father Vince won a pizza competition. But after their win, a big argument started between them. This fight caused them to end their partnership. They each opened their own pizza restaurants right next door. No one ever knew what caused the fight.
Nikki eventually left Toronto to become a chef in London. Leo stayed behind to work at his father's restaurant. After several years, Nikki gets a chance to run a new restaurant. Her instructor, Corinne, gives her two weeks off. Nikki must go home to Toronto to prepare her special menu.
Secret Meetings and Growing Feelings
Leo still works at his father's place. He has moved out and lives above a bar with his friend Luigi. Leo also works as a bartender there. The feud between Sal and Vince has gotten worse over the years.
When Nikki arrives home, she meets Leo at the bar. They have fun playing soccer in a thunderstorm. Nikki ends up spending the night at Leo's apartment. The next day, her family welcomes her home.
Meanwhile, Leo's grandfather Carlo and Nikki's grandmother Franca have a secret. They have been dating! They pretend to be part of the family feud. Also, Leo's employee Jogi and Nikki's friend Jessie like each other.
Love and Family Secrets
Nikki's family tries to set her up with other guys. But she is only interested in Leo. They spend time cooking together at his apartment. Nikki is very impressed by Leo's cooking skills.
Carlo asks Franca to marry him. She walks away without giving him an answer. Nikki encourages Leo to sell his own unique pizza. But Leo says his father is too stubborn to change the menu. Leo tells Nikki he wants to open his own restaurant later. He doesn't want to compete with his dad.
Franca finally agrees to marry Carlo. She had promised not to remarry after her husband died. Nikki and Leo go for a ride around Little Italy. They remember fun times from their childhood. They return to Leo's apartment and grow even closer. Nikki gets a call from Corinne. She needs Nikki's menu soon or she will pick another chef. Nikki feels worried and shares her feelings with Leo.
The Pizza Competition
Franca and Carlo arrange a dinner for both families. They announce their relationship. Sal and Vince are very upset. They start arguing and insulting each other. Vince suggests a pizza competition. The loser would have to leave Little Italy.
They remember they are banned from the competition. This is because of their big fight years ago. So, they decide Nikki and Leo should compete instead. Nikki first refuses to join. Vince says it's because she's scared of Leo. Nikki and Leo start arguing about who was better at soccer as kids. Leo mentions their secret night together. Nikki gets angry and slaps him, then leaves.
A Happy Ending
At the competition, Leo is announced as the winner. Nikki leaves for the airport to go to London. But Leo realizes Nikki purposely switched their sauces. She wanted him to win! Leo refuses the trophy. He and their families rush to the airport to find Nikki.
At the airport, Leo finds Nikki. He tells her he loves her and wants to be with her. Nikki decides to stay with Leo. She tells him she loves him too, and they kiss. They ask their fathers why they fought years ago. Sal and Vince admit the fight was about Franca and Carlo. In 1999, after winning a pizza competition, they argued. They couldn't agree on what to name the winning pizza. This started their long rivalry.
Franca and Carlo finally announce they are getting married. Sal and Vince hug, ending their feud. Later, everyone celebrates at Nikki and Leo's new restaurant. Corinne, Nikki's instructor, visits. She says her new restaurant closed because of bad reviews. The families all dance together. Nikki and Leo also help Jessie and Jogi become a couple.
Main Characters
- Emma Roberts as Nicoletta "Nikki" Angioli
- Ava Preston as young Nikki
- Hayden Christensen as Leonard "Leo" Campo
- Nicky Cappella as young Leo
- Alyssa Milano as Dora Angioli (Nikki's mother)
- Adam Ferrara as Salvatore "Sal" Angioli (Nikki's father)
- Gary Basaraba as Vincenzo "Vince" Campoli (Leo's father)
- Linda Kash as Amelia Campoli (Leo's mother)
- Andrew Phung as Luigi (Leo's friend)
- Cristina Rosato as Gina (Nikki's friend)
- Danny Aiello as Carlo (Leo's grandfather)
- Andrea Martin as Franca (Nikki's grandmother)
- Jane Seymour as Corinne (Nikki's instructor)
- Amrit Kaur as Jessie (Nikki's friend)
- Vas Saranga as Jogi (Leo's employee)
Making the Movie
Filming for Little Italy began in June 2017. In July 2017, it was announced that many actors had joined the movie. These included Hayden Christensen, Emma Roberts, Andrea Martin, and Danny Aiello. Donald Petrie directed the film. The story was written by Vinay Virmani, and the screenplay by Steve Galluccio and Vinay Virmani. Companies like Firsttake Entertainment and Telefilm Canada helped produce the movie.
Release Information
Little Italy was released in Canada on August 24, 2018. Entertainment One distributed it there. In the United States, the film was released on September 21, 2018, by Lionsgate.
