|
| director = [[Donald Petrie]]
| producer = {{Unbulleted list |Mark Levinson|Scott Rosenfelt}}
| screenplay = {{Unbulleted list |[[Amy Holden Jones|Amy Jones]]|Perry Howze|Randy Howze|[[Alfred Uhry]]}}
| story = Amy Holden Jones
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Annabeth Gish]]
* [[Julia Roberts]]
* [[Lili Taylor]]
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio|Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio]]
* [[William R. Moses]]
* [[Adam Storke]]
* [[Conchata Ferrell]]
}}
| music = David McHugh
}}
'''''Mystic Pizza''''' is a 1988 American [[Romance film|romantic]] [[comedy-drama]] film directed by [[Donald Petrie]] in his feature directorial debut, and starring [[Annabeth Gish]], [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Lili Taylor]].<ref name="VarRvw" /> It follows the coming-of-age of three young Portuguese-American friends who work at a pizza parlor in a seaside Connecticut town. The film received positive reviews, with [[Roger Ebert]] declaring at the time, "I have a feeling that ''Mystic Pizza'' may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars. All of the young actors in this movie have genuine gifts."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sean |date=October 18, 2013 |title='Mystic Pizza' -- 1988 |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/10/18/mystic-pizza-1988/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=[[EW.com]] |language=en}}</ref> It marked [[Matt Damon]]'s film debut.
The film follows the coming-of-age of three young Portuguese-American friends who work at a pizza parlor in a seaside Connecticut town. The film received positive reviews, with [[Roger Ebert]] declaring at the time, ”I have a feeling that ''Mystic Pizza'' may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars.”<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sean |date=October 18, 2013 |title='Mystic Pizza' -- 1988 |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/10/18/mystic-pizza-1988/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=[[EW.com]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Plot==
Sisters Kat and Daisy Araújo and their friend JojoJosephina Barbosa"JoJo" Barboza are [[Portuguese Americans|Portuguese-American]] teenageyoung girlsadult women working as waitresses at Mystic Pizza, a pizza parlor owned by Leona and her husband Vic in the fishing town of [[Mystic, Connecticut]].
JojoJoJo faintedfaints at her wedding to Bill because she hadhas cold feet about making a lifetime commitment. Nonetheless, she wants to continue having sex with Bill until she is ready to be married. Bill eventually breaks up with her because she will not make a commitmentcommit. ▼Kat and Daisy are total opposites. Kat, the younger sister, is an aspiring astronomer working at the planetarium in the Whaling Museum of the [[Mystic Seaport]], and [[Yale University]] accepted her on a partial scholarship. Kat works at the restaurant and as a babysitter to raise money for school. Daisy's goal is to have as much fun as possible. Their mother is pleased with Kat, while often questioning Daisy's life choices. ▼
▲Kat and Daisy are total opposites. Kat, the younger sister, is an aspiring astronomer with several jobs, including working at the planetarium inof the Whaling Museum ofin the [[Mystic Seaport]] , and Mystic Pizza. Kat has been accepted to [[Yale University]] accepted her on a partial scholarship . Katwhile works at the restaurant and as a babysitter to raise money for school.glamorous Daisy's goal is to have as much fun as possible. Their mother is pleased with Kat, whilebut often questioningquestions Daisy's life choices and worries that her carefree daughter’s future isn’t certain.
Daisy meets Charles, a rich young man at a bar. The two are immediately attracted to each other and begin a relationship, much to her mother's dismay. At a family dinner, Charles's relatives unintentionally make insensitive comments about Daisy's ethnicity, and Charles overreacts. Daisy breaks up with him, accusing him of using her to rebel against his parents. ▼
▲Daisy meets Charles, a rich young man at a bar. The two are immediately attracted to each other and begin a relationship, much to her mother's dismay. At a family dinner, Charles's relatives unintentionally make insensitive comments about Daisy's Portuguese ethnicity, and Charles overreacts. Daisy breaks up with him, accusing him of using her to rebel against his parents.
Kat finds herself infatuated with her employer Tim, an architect and Yale graduate, who hired her to babysit his four-year-old daughter Phoebe while his wife works in England. A relationship ultimately develops between them that she believes to be love, and they have sex. However, when his wife returns, Kat's illusions are shattered. Daisy consoles her devastated sister, and they bond. ▼
▲Kat finds herself infatuated with her employer Tim, an architect and Yale graduate, who hired her to babysit his four-year-old daughter Phoebe while his wife works in England. A relationship ultimately develops between them that sheKat believes to be love, and they haveend sex.up However, when his wife returns, Kat's illusions are shattered. Daisy consoles her devastated sister, and theysleeping bondtogether.
▲Jojo fainted at her wedding to Bill because she had cold feet about making a lifetime commitment. Nonetheless, she wants to continue having sex with Bill until she is ready to be married. Bill eventually breaks up with her because she will not make a commitment.
The sisters argue over Kat’s dalliance with Tim, Daisy bitter that Kat continues to judge her for being promiscuous while carrying on an actual affair with a married man. However, when Tim’s wife Nicki returns, Kat's illusions are shattered. Daisy consoles her devastated sister, and they bond.
A famous television food critic called "The Fireside Gourmet" unexpectedly visits Mystic Pizza. As Kat, Daisy, Jojo, and Leona watch from the counter, he takes a few bites of one pizza slice, jots notes in his notebook, and leaves after paying the check. His approval can do wonders for a restaurant, but they are not optimistic. However, a few days later he gives the pizzeria his highest rating, calling the pizza "superb". The restaurant phone immediately starts ringing, with Leona laughing as she informs the caller that no reservations are needed. ▼
▲A famous television food critic called "The Fireside Gourmet" unexpectedly visits Mystic Pizza. As Kat, Daisy, JojoJoJo, and Leona watch from the counter, he takes a few bites of one pizza slice, jots notes in his notebook, and leaves after paying the check. His approval can do wonders for a restaurant, but they are not optimistic . However, a few days later he gives the pizzeria his highest rating, calling the pizza "superb". The restaurant phone immediately starts ringing, with Leona laughing as she informs the caller that no reservations are needed.
In the end, Tim brings Phoebe to Mystic Pizza because she wants to say goodbye to Kat. Tim gives her a check to help cover her tuition expenses, but she tears it up; she later accepts money from Leona. Jojo finally marries Bill, and Daisy and Charles reconcile at the wedding. The film ends with the three girls overlooking the water from the restaurant's balcony, reminiscing about their time together and wondering about the future. ▼
A few days later, Tim brings Phoebe to Mystic Pizza because she wants to say goodbye to Kat as the family is leaving town. Tim gives Kat a check to help cover her tuition expenses, but she tears it up just as Fireside Gourmet’s latest show airs and he gives the restaurant his highest rating (4 stars), calling the pizza "superb". The pizzeria’s phone immediately starts ringing, with Leona laughing as she informs the caller that no reservations are needed.
▲InJoJo thefinally endmarries Bill, Tim brings Phoebe to Mystic Pizza because she wants to say goodbye to Kat . Tim gives heraccepts a check to help cover her tuition expenses, but she tears it up; she later accepts moneyloan from Leona . Jojo finally marries Bill, and Daisy and CharlesCharlie reconcile at the wedding. The film ends with the three girls overlooking the water from the restaurant's balcony, reminiscing about their time together and wondering about the future.
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Annabeth Gish]] as Katherine "Kat" Araújo
* [[Julia Roberts]] as Daisy Araújo
* [[Lili Taylor]] as JosefinaJosephina "Jojo" BarbosaBarboza
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio]] as William "Bill" Montijo
* [[William R. Moses]] as Tim Travers
* [[Ann Flood]] as Polly Windsor
* [[Suzanne Shepherd]] as Aunt Tweedy
* Gene Amoroso as Mr. BarbosaBarboza
* Sheila Ferrini as Mrs. BarbosaBarboza
* John Fiore as Jake
* Lauren O'Brien as Serena Windsor
* Jack Ringstad as Uncle Ned
* Jody Raymond as Teresa
* Dennis Paiva as Himselfhimself {{small|(Portuguese-American wedding singer)}}
}}
==Production and filming locations==
The title of the film was inspired by a pizza shop in [[Mystic, Connecticut]]. Screenwriter [[Amy Holden Jones]] was summering in the area and chose Mystic Pizza as the focus of her story about the lives of three young waitresses.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysticpizza.com/about_us.aspx |title=Mystic Pizza About Us |access-date=2011-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926064728/http://www.mysticpizza.com/about_us.aspx |archive-date=2011-09-26 }}</ref>
Jones was set to direct, but was replaced by Petrie, who made his feature film directorial debut.<ref name=AFI/> The film was also [[Alfred Uhry]]'s screenwriting debut.<ref name=AFI/>
[[Image:70 Water St Stonington.jpg|thumb|left|150px|70 Water Street in Stonington. Filming location for the Mystic Pizza restaurant]]
FilmingThe filming began October 12, 1987, and was due to last six weeks.<ref name=AFI/> The film's plot is set in Mystic,<ref>Mystic is a village and census-designated place (CDP), it is not a legally recognized municipality in the state of Connecticut. Mystic is actually located within the towns of [[Groton, Connecticut|Groton]] and [[Stonington (borough), Connecticut|Stonington]].</ref> but most of the filming locations were in neighboring towns. The building used for the pizza restaurant was a converted home in [[Stonington (borough), Connecticut|Stonington Borough]] at 70 Water St.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=70+Water+St,+Stonington,+Connecticut+06378|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref> After the film's release, the real-life Mystic Pizza building<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Mystic+Pizza+56+W+Main+St+Groton,+CT+06355|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps}}</ref> in downtown Mystic was renovated to resemble the film set. The Windsor family home, the wedding reception restaurant, the Peg Leg Pub pool hall, and the fishing docks were also filmed in Stonington Borough. The hitchhiking incident takes place on North Main Street in [[Stonington (borough), Connecticut|Stonington Town]]. The Araújo home is in [[Pawcatuck, Connecticut]]; the lobster business and the wedding church are in [[Noank, Connecticut]]. Tim Travers' home and the Windsors' country club are in [[Watch Hill, Rhode Island]]. The most notable scenes that take place in Mystic were filmed at the [[Mystic Seaport]] planetarium and at the [[Mystic River Bascule Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fast-rewind.com/locations_mysticpizza.htm |title=Mystic Pizza Movie Filming Locations - The 80s Movies Rewind |website=www.fast-rewind.com }}</ref>
==Release==
Goldwyn spent a company -record $6.5 million on prints and, advertising, and other marketing activities,<ref name=VarRvw/> including tie-ins with [[Domino's Pizza]] and others.<ref name=AFI/> The film had 100 pre-opening screenings<ref name=VarRvw/><ref name=AFI/> and premiered in Mystic, Connecticut on October 18, 1988.<ref name=AFI/> It was released on October 21, 1988.<ref name=AFI/>
==Reception==
TheUpon release, the film received mostly favorablemixed reviews,<ref>{{Cite web |title=MYSTIC PIZZA (1988) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58979-MYSTIC-PIZZA?sid=6a4a9203-b1b8-463b-97ac-9393d5b0075f&sr=11.626271&cp=1&pos=0 |access-date=July 24, 2024 |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |quote=The film premiered 18 Oct 1988 in Mystic, CT, as noted in a 23 Oct 1988 LAT brief, and received a mixed critical reaction}}</ref> whowhich praised the performances by the three lead actresses. It received "two thumbs up" from popular film critics [[At the Movies (1986 TV program)|Siskel and Ebert]],<ref>{{Cite news[[Gene Siskel|last=Siskel, |first=Gene]]; |author-link=Gene Siskel |last2=Ebert, |first2=Roger. |date=October 22, 1988. |title=[[Siskel & Ebert at The Movies |work=''At the Movies'']]. Season 3. Episode 6. [[ReelzBuena Vista Television]]}}.</ref> giving particular praise to the three female leads, including Gish, whom Ebert likened to a "young [[Katharine Hepburn]]".<ref name=":0">{{cite news |author=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=1988-10-21 |title=Mystic Pizza |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/mystic-pizza-1988}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "a deftly told coming-of-age story about three young femmes as they explore their different destinies, mostly through romance, it’sit's genuine and moving, with enough edge to impress contemporary audiences."<ref name="VarRvw">{{cite magazine |date=12 October 1988 |title=Film reviews: Mystic Pizza |url=https://variety.com/1987/film/reviews/mystic-pizza-1200427513/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has a score of 7778% based on reviews from 2627 critics. The website's critics consensus reads: "''Mystic Pizza'' is like its namesake food: it's cheesy, topped with romance, and rises to the occasion."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mystic_pizza/ |title=Mystic Pizza (1988) |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a score of 60% based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/mystic-pizza |title= Mystic Piza |website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref>
==Home media==
On January 13, 2009, ''Mystic Pizza'' and ''[[Say Anything...]]'' were released as a double feature on DVD.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810047826/details | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110603234046/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810047826/details | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 3, 2011 | title = Mystic Pizza/Say Anything Double Feature (2009) | access-date = February 19, 2009 }}</ref> On April 5, 2011, ''Mystic Pizza'' was released on Blu-ray.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Mystic-Pizza-Blu-ray/21056/ | title = Mystic Pizza Blu-ray | access-date = January 2, 2013}}</ref>
==MusicalStage musical adaptation==
{{Main|Mystic Pizza (musical)}}
On January 22, 2019, it was announced that ''Mystic Pizza'' willwould be adapted into a stage musical. [[Melissa Etheridge]] willwould write the score, while [[Gordon Greenberg]] willwould direct and co-write the book with Sas Goldberg.<ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/melissa-etheridge-mystic-pizza-broadway-musical-gordon-greenberg-1202538634/ |title=Melissa Etheridge Prepping Musical 'Mystic Pizza' For Stage Delivery |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref> This comescame years after a fictional Broadway musical adaptation of the film had served as a plot point in the early part of [[30 Rock (season 2)|season 2]] of the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[30 Rock]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2029440/melissa-etheridge-mystic-pizza-musical-30-rock/news/ |title=Melissa Etheridge Writing Songs For ''Mystic Pizza'' Musical, Thus Fulfilling ''30 Rock''{{'}}s Prophecy |website=[[Stereogum]] |date=January 22, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2020}}</ref>
The world premiere of the musical version of ''Mystic Pizza'' was produced by [[Ogunquit Playhouse]] in Ogunquit, Maine from September 1, 2021, through October 2, 2021. The production, which featured songs by [[Melissa Etheridge]] and other pop songs of the 1980s, starred Krystina Alabado as Daisy, Gianna Yanelli as Jojo, and Kyra Kennedy as Kat. The production was directed by Casey Hushion, and featured a book by Sandy Rustin, choreography by Liz Ramos, and musical supervision by Carmel Dean, with Kristin Stowell as music director. Executive producers were Michael Barra and Allison Bressi of Lively McCabe Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/krystina-alabado-stars-in-mystic-pizza-musical-world-premiere-beginning-september-1|title = Krystina Alabado Stars in Mystic Pizza Musical World Premiere Beginning September 1|date = September 2021}}</ref>
== See also ==
* ''[[Little Italy (2018 film)|Little Italy]]'', a 2018 romantic film, also directed by Donald Petrie and set in a pizza parlor.
* ''[[Townies]]'', a 1996 sitcom with a similar premise.
==References==
[[Category:1988 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1988 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1980s buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s female buddy films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American buddy drama films]] ▼[[Category:American coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American female buddy films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age romance films]]
[[Category:Films about adolescence]]
[[Category:Films about sisters]]
[[Category:Films about waiters]]
[[Category:Films directed by Donald Petrie]]
[[Category:Films set in Connecticut]]
[[Category:The Samuel Goldwyn Company films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Amy Holden Jones]]
▲[[Category: 1980s American buddy drama films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films]]
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