Synopsis
The film is a romantic comedy about the Portuguese widow of a fisherman who died at sea. The widow's teenage daughter, who wants to be a professional gambler, convinces her mother to date a British man who's new in town. The widow falls for the Brit, who pretends to be in the fishing business but is actually a professional gambler. The naïve daughter gets into some trouble.
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Cast
- Jason IsaacsCharles Beck
- Sofia MilosCelia Amonte
- Emmy RossumVicky Amonte
- Theresa RussellLois Vargas
- Seymour CasselDaniel Vargas
- Lupe OntiverosAngelica Amonte
- Chris TardioGianni Martinez
- Benjamin MoutonFrankie the Pit Boss
- Robert MontanoFather Emmanuel
- Bill BurrBlackjack Player
Recommendations
- 83
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Ireland says he was after the kind of "elegant simplicity" of the great Hollywood romantic dramas of the '50s, and, for the most part, this is exactly what he pulls off. - 75
Chicago Tribune
It's a good small film for intelligent audiences who like to watch the movie camera explore other regions and other communities -- something all our movies should do more often. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
A romantic drama, a rare kind of film these days, even though romantic dramas were once a dominant genre in America. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Passionada assembles the elements for a soap opera, and turns them into a bubble bath. - 70
Los Angeles Times
Director Dan Ireland and the Jermanoks strive for and achieve a light romantic comedy with humorous, fanciful plotting yet shaded by genuine tenderness and passion. - 70
Variety
A lovely, albeit imperfect fable marked by strong performances and infused with glorious bursts of soulful fado folk music. - 63
Premiere
Its compelling cast and sincere matchmaking goals are reason enough to play along. - 50
Boston Globe
A cheery version of a darker, grislier movie, one in which people like Daniel beat up people like Charlie, girls like Vicky end up in far more compromising positions, and women like Celia turn to Scotch and prescription drugs to cope with their pain.