Puccini For Beginners

Writer/director Maria Maggenti ("The Incredibly True Adventure of 2 Girls In Love") makes another failed attempt at creating a lesbian dramedy to capture the imaginations of gay and straight mainstream audiences. Manhattan is the setting where Allegra (Elizabeth Reaser) and Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) breakup after Allegra holds out on confessing her love. An old boyfriend lures Samantha to play for his team while Allegra's one-night-stand with a guy takes a funny twist after she unknowingly falls for his recently jilted lover Grace (Gretchen Mol). There are some chuckles to be had, but the movie plays it too safe for its own good.
Not Rated. 82 mins. (C+) (Two Stars)