Top 10 Movies About Italians That Don’t Involve The Mafia
Published on October 30, 2008 - 67 Comments
It seems that Hollywood loves to glamorize the nasty side of Italian-Americans. There are lots of movies featuring Italian-American characters, and most of them are about the mob, or at least involve the Mafia in some small way. Not to say they’re not great movies. The Godfather (I & II), Goodfellas, Casino…all classics. But even Raging Bull, an incredibly powerful flick, features a Mafia-subplot. So here are 10 excellent Hollywood movies about Italian-Americans that do not involve la Cosa Nostra…
A gay man is looking for a roommate. A pizza maker from Brooklyn is ready to move out and spots the ad, looking for a GWM (Gay White Male). He thinks it means “guy with money.” It’s an odd couple type comedy, with broad stereotypical characters, but it’s pretty darn funny.
Husband and wife, Joey (Kevin Kline doing his best Italian guy) and Rosalie (the perfect Tracy Ullman doing her best Italian-American) own a pizza parlor. She is convinced that he works all of the time for them until she finds out he has been fooling around for years. Being Catholic, divorce is out of the question, so she and her mother and her best friend decide to kill him…over and over and over again. This is dark and funny as hell.
Written and directed by the great John Turturro, this tale of three brothers who are left the family’s construction business after the death of their father is a real joy. Honest, well-written and acted, and true to the whole “family-first” attitude of most Italians.
A hilarious look at wedding planning, Italian-American style. A young couple from Brooklyn get engaged and the families go nuts with the wedding plans, leaving the two of them dazed and confused. Best bit is when the caterer asks if they want the mashed potatoes to match the color of the bridesmaids dresses.
It’s country bumpkins vs. a couple of Brooklyn Italians. This is a funny movie, punctuated by Marissa Tomei’s over the top Italian Princess character (Some say she shouldn’t have gotten the Oscar. Screw them.) And who can forget Fred Gwynne as the judge leaning over to Joe Pesci asking him if he just said “youts?”
Can a movie make you hungry? This one can. Stanley Tucci (also directed) and Tony Shaloub are Italian immigrant brothers who own a small restaurant. Shaloub is the chef who absolutely will not compromise, even when a big, cheesy faux Italian place opens down the block. The big party at the end is a gourmet’s delight…a must see.
Dom DeLuise is a guy who’s struggled with his weight his whole life, and finally finds a woman who may turn him around. This funny little film was directed by and starred Anne Bancroft (A great Italian actress herself, and wife of Mel Brooks). It captures the essence of Italian families, one minute yelling, the next hugging. And there’s lots of eating too.
Another film about a “fat, ugly man”. This flick from the ’50s earned several Oscars, including best actor for Ernest Borgnine, who is just great. It takes place over two days in the life of a guy who just can’t meet the right girl. When he does, everyone tells him to dump her. Especially his mom and his friend, Ang. Famous for the lines: “What do you wanna do tonight, Marty?” “I dunno, what do you wanna do?”
One of my favorite movies of all time. Cher’s Oscar-winning role as the woman who is there for everyone else, and finally decides to take a chance for herself. Everyone in this movie is absolutely perfect. Olympia Dukakis is wonderful as the matriarch. Danny Aiello as the fiance who heads to Italy for his dying mother (”When I told her we were getting married, she got up and starting cooking for everyone. It was a miracle!”) And even Nicholas Cage is great…”I lost my hand! I lost my girl!” Love it!
Yo! The underdog from South Philly makes good. Despite all the lousy sequels, the original remains a true classic. Stallone, who wrote the script, owned this character. You go through an entire range of emotions with him, and care about him. Now, some people would say there is some undertone of mob activity, with Rocky being a thumb-breaker for the local bookie, but let’s let that one slide, aiight? yo!
Notable Extras: Domenic and Eugene, ItalianAmerican, Everybody wants to be Italian
Contributor: steeveedee
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1. TDavis - October 31st, 2008 at 2:59 am
Going back a ways, “The Agony and the Ecstasy” has a LOT of Italians and not one mention of the Mob!
2. BB - October 31st, 2008 at 3:06 am
I’m frankly disgusted that this list doesn’t contain Cinema Paradiso - I would suggest a lack of research and vetting is responsible.
3. Blondie - October 31st, 2008 at 3:07 am
Kiss Me Guido?!! C’maaaaan.
There’s a ton of great Italian films better than that, dig a little deeper dude.
4. brettc - October 31st, 2008 at 3:22 am
Errrrrrmmm… maybe the title should be the Top 10 American movies about Italians that don’t involve the mafia?
Frex, The Bicycle Thief, Romeo and Juliet, Two Women, Taming of the Shrew, 8 and a half, Satyricon, La Dolce Vita, etc could all be classed as Movies about Italians. Even Gladiator.
Just a suggestion..
5. astraya - October 31st, 2008 at 3:25 am
How many of these movies contain non-Italians portraying Italians? I lost count.
6. astraya - October 31st, 2008 at 3:26 am
Read the introduction: “here are 10 excellent Hollywood movies”.
7. ian - October 31st, 2008 at 3:42 am
i think its funny that so many non Italians can play Italian roles
8. brettc - October 31st, 2008 at 4:00 am
That’s what I was trying to point out, but I don’t think I was clear enough. It’s actually a list of the Top 10 (Hollywood) movies about (American-)Italians that don’t involve the mafia.
On that basis, and considering I’ve only seen nos 3 to 1 (and prefer Marty of those 3 but that’s just me), it seems an OK list. But it’s definitely got a title that confuses the issue. Capiche?
9. xo Holly Homicide xo - October 31st, 2008 at 5:19 am
Life Is Beautiful definately should have been on here.
Unless you count the nazi’s as the mafia….
10. SoCalJeff - October 31st, 2008 at 5:20 am
Big Night was great flick. I enjoyed that one. Highly recommend. Of course who couldn’t enjoy Marty.
Saturday Night Fever seems to be a pretty obvious missing movie on the list. If you are looking for something a little more unique Love’s Brother was a decent flick.
Probably one of the best Italian flicks I’ve seen recently about Italians in Italy was Malena….pretty much has everything.
11. Teri - October 31st, 2008 at 5:21 am
One correction, in the movie, I Love You to Death, Rosalie was not playing an Italian. She was Serbian-Croatian.
12. DiscHuker - October 31st, 2008 at 5:30 am
wow. either this list needs more research or this category is just slim pickings. not exactly “great” movies on this list, save rocky and maybe moonstruck.
13. JayArr - October 31st, 2008 at 6:48 am
BB(2) - oh yeah! Cinema Paradiso was a great (if disturbing) movie!! And I loved ‘Fatso’ when I was a kid. Some days I wish I was Italian, but then, I just don’t have the hair for it…
Fun list, steeveedee. I’m thinking there could have been a few different choices, but I’ve got my personal biases too.
14. Chris - October 31st, 2008 at 7:30 am
I agree brettc, Bicycle Thieves needs to be on here. Next lets see if there can be a list about Italians in movies that don’t include the Mafia, Brooklyn, or pizza. Now that would be a good list.
15. Rachel - October 31st, 2008 at 7:30 am
I agree with Holly Homicide. I’m disappointed that Life is Beautiful isn’t on this list.
16. SonnyAngell - October 31st, 2008 at 7:33 am
Rocky 4 was the frigin best! dont knock the sequels =] 5 was just as good as the dump i just flushed
17. Jackie R - October 31st, 2008 at 7:34 am
I Love You to Death is a GREAT movie! It’s hilarious. I definitely recommend it.
Teri: You are correct, Rosalie wasn’t playing an Italian. It needs to be corrected on the list!
18. Jackie R - October 31st, 2008 at 7:34 am
I mean Tracey Ullman wasn’t playing an Italian
19. contrariwise - October 31st, 2008 at 8:09 am
I came to see if Moonstruck was on the list - and I wasn’t disappointed! One of my favorite movies.
Great list.
20. Phender_Bender - October 31st, 2008 at 8:25 am
Great list! Moonstruck is a great movie, Cage is one of my favorite actors of all time. As an Italian-American I can say that no one in my family is in the mafia, in fact the biggest crime anyone in my family has ever committed was my cousin got drunk and fell asleep in a house that wasn’t his.
21. Blogball - October 31st, 2008 at 8:35 am
I know there will be lots of comments starting out with “hey what about this move or that movie” but I really like when someone come up with an original idea for a list. Good job steeveedee.
22. Sedulous - October 31st, 2008 at 8:41 am
I ♥ Marisa Tomei
23. Cedestra - October 31st, 2008 at 9:05 am
I don’t think I’m qualified enough to comment on the integrity of the list: I’ve only seen “My Cousin Vinny”.
I laughed at the title of the list.
As someone who is part Native American, I always thought it would be ironically funny to play an Italian in something.
24. Doc Holliday - October 31st, 2008 at 9:13 am
Rocky worked for a mobbed-up loan shark.
25. Suskis - October 31st, 2008 at 10:04 am
Ok. I am Italian (actually I am writing from Italy right now) and I think that this list should be modified into “Top 10 HOLLYWOOD Movies About Italians That Don’t Involve The Mafia”. (in Italy, movies about Mafia are pretty rare)
As someone already pointed out, lots of actors portraying italians are not italians at all (and, believe me, we italians recognize them instantly…)
Also the funny side of Hollywood is that usually 99% of italian people have NOT italian names! Italo-american names are quite different from real italian names (and, usually, they are funny, ridicolous or even insulting [Balboa is an example, LOL]).
Finally: the idea americans have of Italy comes from those sicilian that came to usa around 100 years ago. The idea English people have of Italy comes, instead, from those who live in Tuscany. Well, believe me: there are places in Italy where you can walk 10 Km and find people speaking differently from those where you started!
Italians are really different one from another (much like americans, I think). Maybe one of the few things that all we have in common is that if we have only 1 slice of bread to eat, we’ll always share it with someone in need.
Aside this long blah blah, I’d say this is a really nice list!
26. Brickhouse - October 31st, 2008 at 10:14 am
Moonstruck & Rocky redeemed the list… Bur My Cousin Vinny & Kiss Me Guido? I’m sure there are far better movies with Italians or portraying Italians that aren’t here.
27. BOLTRON73 - October 31st, 2008 at 10:29 am
THOSE MOVIES ARE GREAT!! but those are not really italians..
28. johnjohn - October 31st, 2008 at 10:38 am
good choice on rocky being number one, although the mob is in rocky. Rocky starts out as an enforcer for the mob, remember he was supposed to break some guys arm, so while not about the mafia, it does involve the mafia.
29. esotericstyle - October 31st, 2008 at 10:45 am
I have been a big fan of “I Love You to Death” ever since I stumbled onto it on TV. As far as “Moonstruck,” I don’t really like the film, and I hate Nicholas Cage, but I loved Nicholas Cage in this film. Go figure.
30. JayArr - October 31st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Suskis(25) - yah, but they couldn’t really call him Rocky Nut-Squeezer, now could they?
31. artmadd - October 31st, 2008 at 11:40 am
Suskis, Balboa is not an italian name is portuguese or spanish.
32. Spence425 - October 31st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
funny thing is, Rocky never actually insinuates that there is anything italian about it.
a nickname is just a nickname. i don’t actually remember and point in the movie that mentions italian heritage…but i could be wrong.
he’s just a guy from philly who goes by the nickname italian stallion.
33. Sled - October 31st, 2008 at 1:24 pm
What about Gladiator? Caligula? King of Kings? (technically, Jesus Christ was an Italian. If you don’t understand, I can explain..) Ben Hur? The list goes on and on.
34. Vera Lynn - October 31st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
In Chicago the Bulls new coach is named Vinnie and someone actually suggested for a slogan, “My coach Vinnie and the youts.” They are a young team as far as players’ ages are concerned.
I also loved Moonstruck, and Rocky still gives me goosebumps.
35. Lynn in Oregon - October 31st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Good list, It’s so nice to have choices that have nothing to do with gangsters and the mafia. There are a couple that are new to me that I look forward to watching.
Especially the Kevin Kline/Tracy Ullman movie.. I really like them both.
and
I love Moonstruck!
Cher and Olympia Dukakis are fantastic in it!
Another good one is ‘Once Around’ with Holly Hunter, Richard Dreyfuss, Gena Rowlands, Laura San Giacomo, and one of my favorite (under-rated) actors, Danny Aiello.
36. goof_ball - October 31st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
good list
37. segue - October 31st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
While most of the movies on the list *are* good movies, most of my personal favorites, starting with # 2. BB’s choice of Cinema Paradiso are listed in the comments.
The problem with the movies on the list, barring “My Cousin Vinnie” which is just about the funniest movie I’ve ever seen and which gets a pass for brilliant dialogue, are lightweights. They appeal, like books on Best Seller lists, to the average common denominator.
I’m not saying I always want a movie to make me think, or be meaty and full of meaning, but it would be nice to to have some intellect along with the laughs, the love, the overcoming the odds.
One of my favorite movies is “What The Bleep Do We Know?” It’s about physics. It’s interesting. It’s funny.
“Mrs. Dalloway” is another I loved. A beautiful story, with level in level; a Russian doll of a story line. Take your mind off the movie at your own risk.
Okay, neither of these are Italian, as I said, all of my choices were already mentioned, and why repeat what has already been said? I’m giving examples.
I could go on at length, but I won’t. You either get my point or you don’t. I love movies. I’ve always loved movies. I expect a lot from the movies I watch.
And I expect them to deliver.
38. jbjr - October 31st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Rocky - Serpico - SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.
Do the Right Thing (subplot)
Gladiator
Fistfull of Dollars - spaghetti western (just kidding)
39. Steeveedee - October 31st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Okay, I’m sorry I wasn’t as direct with the title. Maybe I should have called it “Top 10 Hollywood movies about modern Italian Americans that don’t involve the mafia.” I love Cinema Paradiso and Life Is Beautiful, but they don’t fit the topic. However, I also have to slap myself with a wet string of mozzarella for forgetting to include Saturday Night Fever. Totally blanked on that one. A great movie and very much belongs on this list. Sorry about that everyone!!
And Lynne, I would definitely include Once Around on the Notable Extras…
Can’t please everyone, so fuggetaboutit!
40. bigski - October 31st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I dont have anything bad to say about this list. I`ve seen several of these movies and there good movies. Having said that I`D RATHER SEE MAFIA MOVIES !! Sorry to yell but The Godfather I & II are treasures. A lot of the other mob movies are favorites too. I dont subscribe to the whole line of crap that Italians are someway connected to Mafia dealings. I got Mexican friends who dont steal,Irish friends who dont drink,English friends who have good teeth,Black friends who aint lazy,Jewish friends who aint rich,French friends who ain rude,German friends who dont think there better than everyone else. Im Polish and I aint to dumb (OK I lied about my Irish friend) also i aint that smart. Hope I got my point across.Got love for all yall !
41. Ren - October 31st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Its Halloween, why would you put a list that has nothing to do with Halloween.
42. McSquida - October 31st, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Adriaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.
@ Ren #41: Well, a lot of the world don’t care about Halloween at all.
43. Carlina - October 31st, 2008 at 11:28 pm
As a proud Italian American, I thank you. Mille grazie!
44. lily - November 1st, 2008 at 2:05 am
hey ive got an idea for a gr8 top 10 low budget movies i mean some of them are fantastic
45. Sgt. Batguano - November 1st, 2008 at 6:09 am
What I learned from this list: If it doesn’t involve the mafia, Hollywood has a very hard time making a good Italian film.
46. Angelina - November 1st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Good list!
47. avie - November 1st, 2008 at 1:57 pm
La Vita E Bella?? Life is Beautiful.. that should have been on here-it is absolutley a great italian film..
48. avie - November 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
response to #39-its an italian film that doesnt involve the mafia–how does that not fit the topic!?
49. Polymath - November 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
41. Ren - October 31st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Its Halloween, why would you put a list that has nothing to do with Halloween.
42. McSquida - October 31st, 2008 at 11:22 pm
@ Ren #41: Well, a lot of the world don’t care about Halloween at all.
I am one of those. New Zealander. There was a Halloween list the other day. Didn’t even look at it.
Anyway, all movie lists are good. Most of them I not ever seen.
50. lettergirl_2000 - November 1st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Johnny Stachinno….
AWESOME
51. bigski - November 1st, 2008 at 7:53 pm
What A BUZZ KLL !!
52. zubair kaka - November 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 am
Sled please explain how he was italian?
i’m intrigued
53. macabresoren - November 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
Ahaha, I remember watching #9 years ago. Very funny. Moonstruck I’m not too fond of, but probably because of my sister’s Cher obsession…
54. sam - November 2nd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
good choice for number 1. I’m from right outside Philly, and just the first few seconds of the rocky theme (Gonna Fly Now - Bill Conti) and i’m pumped up.
how about a list for pump-up songs?
55. Muttley - November 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
How about “Under a Tuscan Sun”, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, “Roman Holiday” or to return to ‘Hollywood Italians’ - “Saturday Night Fever”!!!
56. Bob - November 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
Most of these look awful.
Regarding the Mafia: If it looks like a duck, etc.
57. Wicked Wisdom - November 3rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Ugly Betty is the BEST tv show. I love The Wire and Heroes.
58. thedude - November 3rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
raging bull? no?
59. Anon. E. Mouse - November 4th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Interesting list! There’s a whole bunch of movies I’ll have to be seeing now, because they look rather interesting. I’ve always been more a fan of mafia movies, but there’s nothing wrong with a change!
Being half Italian-American, I’ve had family with mild mafia involvement. It’s interesting to hear my mom and grandma tell stories about it.
60. Pirate101 - November 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Loved to see your inclusion of Moonstruck
61. Sled - November 5th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Ok…How is Christ Italian:
Joeseph and Mary were heading to Bethlehem for a census being taken by the Roman Government. He was born in Bethlehem, which at the time, was under Roman Rule. Christ was born a Roman. Just like being born in Puerto Rico technically makes you an American. Capise??
62. erinlynne - November 7th, 2008 at 2:29 am
where’s la dolce vita?
63. Lilith Hel - November 15th, 2008 at 5:46 am
uh, how about the ‘karate kid’? ralph macchio and his mom were obviously italian. it was alot better than some of the stuff on this list.
64. lexi - November 21st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I’m pretty sure “Life is Beautiful” should be featured on this list
the story about an Italian Jewish man and his toddler son forced into the concentration camps in WWII
it’s an amazingly moving story,
and it’s definitely not about the mafia
65. LoFaro - November 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I’m trying to figure out what this one movie is called. I saw it when I was a little kid. Three friends grew up in NYC, two Italian Americans and One Puerto Rican. They we friends all their lives. When they got older, the Puerto Rican got hooked on drugs. Eventually, one of the friends got sick and Confined to a wheel chair. His wife had a baby, but he passed away before it was born. So the remaining friends took care of the baby. Anybody know?
66. astraya - November 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
lexi - Life is Beautiful is not a Hollywood movie. Please read the introduction and see comment 39 from the member who made the list.
67. Kerry - December 8th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I Love You To Death was great, he just wont die. Great cast Kevin Kline, William Hurt, River Phoenix. if i remember wasn’t it based on a true story?