The Amati Girls (PG, 2001)

THE AMATI GIRLS follows the ups and downs of four sisters of Italian heritage. Eldest sibling Grace (Mercedes Ruehl) tries to be strong for her younger sisters while dealing with her own disappointments. Christine (Sean Young), who has a young daughter, must figure out whether to divorce her husband. Unconventional sister Denise (Dinah Manoff) avoids making it official with her boyfriend, while youngest sister Dolores (Lily Knight) struggles with a mental disability caused by an accident. Meanwhile, Amati matriarch Dolly (Cloris Leachman) thinks she's found the right man, but her daughters worry about the choice.

Television is the place you'd most expect to find this type of reassuring, homey comedy-drama; optimists would call it a good sign that this feature found a wide theatrical release, even with its untrendy PG rating. Too bad the movie isn't as worthwhile as its cast of familiar faces. Fine actors can only do so much with the weak dialogue and contrived colorful characters, as the plot takes twists and turns that are shamelessly manipulative. There are good intentions at work, as writer-director Anne de Salvo inserts a statement of purpose into the script when one sister complains, "Every Italian in the movies is either a gangster or a guy with tattoos or a guy delivering pizza!"

Thus, this non-violent ensemble brings viewers the loving, churchgoing but earthy Amatis as a friendly alternative to the corrupt, amoral Capones, Sopranos, and Corleones fighting endless mob wars. That's all fine, but one viewer complained that this movie's depiction of sauce-making mamma mias is no less of a stereotype than Little Italy hoods making Offers You Cannot Refuse.

Studio: Providence Entertainment
Director: Anne DeSalvo
Cast: Cloris Leachman, Mercedes Ruehl, Sean Young
Genre: Drama
Run time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release: October 4, 2001
DVD release: October 4, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: mild language and brief sensuality