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{{short description|1988 film by Donald Petrie}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Mystic Pizza
| name = Mystic Pizza
| image = Mystic pizza.jpg
| image = Mystic pizza.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Donald Petrie]]
| director = [[Donald Petrie]]
| producer = Mark Levinson<br>Scott Rosenfelt
| producer = {{Unbulleted list |Mark Levinson|Scott Rosenfelt}}
| screenplay = [[Amy Holden Jones]]<br>Perry Howze<br>Randy Howze<br>[[Alfred Uhry]]
| screenplay = {{Unbulleted list |[[Amy Holden Jones]]|Perry Howze|Randy Howze|[[Alfred Uhry]]}}
| story = Amy Holden Jones
| story = Amy Holden Jones
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|
Line 11: Line 14:
* [[Julia Roberts]]
* [[Julia Roberts]]
* [[Lili Taylor]]
* [[Lili Taylor]]
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio]]
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio|Vincent Phillip D'Onofrio]]
* [[William R. Moses]]
* [[William R. Moses]]
* [[Adam Storke]]
* [[Adam Storke]]
* [[Conchata Ferrell]]
}}
}}
| music = David McHugh
| music = David McHugh
| cinematography = [[Tim Suhrstedt]]
| cinematography = [[Tim Suhrstedt]]
| editing = Don Brochu<br />Marion Rothman
| editing = {{Unbulleted list |[[Don Brochu]]|[[Marion Rothman]]}}
| distributor = [[The Samuel Goldwyn Company]]
| distributor = [[The Samuel Goldwyn Company]]
| released = {{Film date|1988|10|21}}
| released = {{Film date|1988|10|18|premiere|ref1=<ref name=AFI>{{AFI film|58979}}</ref>|1988|10|21|United States|ref2=<ref name=AFI/>}}
| runtime = 104 minutes
| runtime = 104 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $6 million
| budget = $6 million<ref name=AFI/>
| gross = $12.8 million
| gross = $14 million<ref name=AFI/>
}}
}}


'''''Mystic Pizza''''' is a 1988 American [[coming-of-age film]] directed by [[Donald Petrie]] and starring [[Annabeth Gish]], [[Julia Roberts]], and [[Lili Taylor]].<ref>''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' film review; 12 October 1988</ref> The film has gained a large [[cult following]] since its release and has received relatively positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances by the three lead actresses. It marked [[Matt Damon]]'s film debut.
'''''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.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Sisters Kat and Daisy Araújo, and their friend Josephina "JoJo" Barboza, are young [[Portuguese Americans|Portuguese-American]] women working as waitresses at Mystic Pizza, a pizza parlor owned by Leona and her husband Vic in the fishing town of [[Mystic, Connecticut]].
The film is about the [[coming of age]] of two sisters and their friend through the romantic lives of the three main characters: Kat Araújo ([[Annabeth Gish]]), Daisy Araújo ([[Julia Roberts]]), and Jojo Barbosa ([[Lili Taylor]]), who are waitresses at Mystic Pizza owned by Leona ([[Conchata Ferrell]]) in [[Mystic, Connecticut]]. In the film, Mystic is represented as a fishing town with a large [[Portuguese Americans|Portuguese-American]] population. The film also touches on an [[Old World]] work ethic.


JoJo is engaged to be married to Bill, but faints at their wedding because she gets cold feet about making a lifetime commitment. 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 commit.
Kat and Daisy are sisters and total opposites. Kat studies astronomy, works at the planetarium in the famous Whaling Museum of The Mystic Seaport, and having been accepted to attend [[Yale University]] on a partial scholarship, works at the restaurant at night and as a nanny by day to obtain the rest of the money for school. Daisy just wants to find lust while trying to get out of Mystic. Kat is the apple of her [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] mother's eye, while Daisy is not because her mother feels she is more wild and is not as goal-oriented as her younger sister.


Kat and Daisy are total opposites. Kat, the younger sister, is an aspiring astronomer. She has been accepted to [[Yale University]] on a partial scholarship and, in addition to waitressing at Mystic Pizza, and babysitting, is also working at the [[Mystic Seaport]] Whaling Museum‘s planetarium. In contrast, glamorous Daisy's goal is to have as much fun as possible. Their mother is pleased with Kat, but often questions Daisy's life choices and worries that her carefree daughter’s future isn’t secure.
⚫
Daisy meets a handsome young man named Charles ([[Adam Storke]]) at a bar. The two are immediately attracted to each other and begin a relationship, much to her mother's dismay believing that the relationship will prevent her from becoming like Kat. However, at a family dinner, his relatives unintentionally make insensitive comments about her ethnicity, and Charles overreacts. Daisy breaks up with him, believing that his family's remarks were harmless and that he was simply using her to show up 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.
There is chemistry between Kat and her [[English-American|Anglo-American]] employer, Tim ([[William R. Moses]]), a father who has hired her to look after his young daughter, Phoebe, while his wife is away. A relationship develops between them that consummates in sex she believes is love. However, it results in heartache for Kat when the wife returns and her illusion of love with Tim is shattered. Daisy and Kat bond when Kat is devastated after Tim's and her evening together and Daisy comforts her baby sister.


Kat becomes infatuated with Tim, an architect and Yale graduate who has hired her to babysit his four-year-old daughter Phoebe while his wife works in England. A relationship develops between them that Kat believes to be love, and they sleep together.
Jojo wants to have sex with her boyfriend Bill ([[Vincent D'Onofrio]]), whom she attempted to marry at the beginning of the movie, but fainted after deciding she couldn't go through with it. However, Bill refuses to have sex with her until they are married, which is something she still isn't ready for. Seeing how she tries to look for every chance to have sex with him, Bill believes that Jojo doesn't love him like he does her, and is only after him for sex, and breaks up with her.


Tensions rise between the two sisters: Kat criticizes Daisy for being promiscuous, which Daisy resents, since Kat is herself having an affair with a married man. However, when Tim’s wife Nicki returns, Tim rejects Kat. Daisy consoles her devastated sister, and they reconcile.
Later, a famous TV food critic nicknamed "The Fireside Gourmet" ([[Louis Turenne]]) visits to the pizzeria to sample a pizza. Not showing any emotion towards the pizza that he eats, he leaves after eating only a few bites, leaving the girls in suspense since his approval can do wonders for the restaurant. However, a few days later the critic gives the pizzeria his highest rating, calling it "superb."


A famous television food critic known as "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, pays the check, and leaves. His approval can do wonders for a restaurant, but they are not optimistic.
In the end, Kat receives her last paycheck from Tim which covers the money necessary for her tuition. She tears it up and accepts a check from Leona instead. Jojo finally agrees to marry Bill and at their wedding, Daisy and Charles reconcile. The film ends with the three girls together overlooking the water from the balcony of the restaurant, reminiscing about their time together.

A few days later, Tim brings Phoebe to Mystic Pizza because she wants to say goodbye to Kat, as her 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.

JoJo finally marries Bill, Kat accepts a loan from Leona, and Daisy and Charlie 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==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Annabeth Gish]] as Katherine "Kat" Araújo
* [[Annabeth Gish]] as Katherine "Kat" Araújo
* [[Julia Roberts]] as Daisy Araújo
* [[Julia Roberts]] as Daisy Araújo
* [[Lili Taylor]] as Jojo Barbosa
* [[Lili Taylor]] as Josephina "Jojo" Barboza
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio]] as Bill Montijo
* [[Vincent D'Onofrio]] as William "Bill" Montijo
* [[William R. Moses]] as Tim Travers
* [[William R. Moses]] as Tim Travers
* [[Adam Storke]] as Charles Gordon Windsor, Jr.
* [[Adam Storke]] as Charles Gordon Windsor Jr.
* [[Conchata Ferrell]] as Leona
* [[Conchata Ferrell]] as Leona
* [[Joanna Merlin]] as Mrs. Araújo
* [[Joanna Merlin]] as Mrs. Araújo
* Porscha Radcliffe as Phoebe Travers
* Porscha Radcliffe as Phoebe Travers
* [[Louis Turenne]] as Hector "The Fireside Gourmet" Freshette
* [[Louis Turenne]] as Hector 'The Fireside Gourmet' Freshette
* [[Janet Zarish]] as Nicole "Nikki" Travers
* [[Janet Zarish]] as Nikki Travers
* Arthur Walsh as Manny
* Arthur Walsh as Manny
* John Cunningham as Charles Gordon Windsor, Sr.
* John Cunningham as Charles Gordon Windsor Sr.
* [[Ann Flood]] as Polly Windsor
* [[Ann Flood]] as Polly Windsor
* [[Suzanne Shepherd]] as Aunt Tweedy
* [[Suzanne Shepherd]] as Aunt Tweedy
* Gene Amoroso as Mr. Barbosa
* Gene Amoroso as Mr. Barboza
* Sheila Ferrini as Mrs. Barbosa
* Sheila Ferrini as Mrs. Barboza
* John Fiore as Jake
* John Fiore as Jake
* Lauren O'Brien as Serena
* Lauren O'Brien as Serena Windsor
* [[Matt Damon]] as Steamer
* [[Matt Damon]] as Steamer Windsor
* Jack Ringstad as Uncle Ned
* Jack Ringstad as Uncle Ned
* Jody Raymond as Teresa
* Jody Raymond as Teresa
* Dennis Paiva as himself (Portuguese-American wedding singer)
* Dennis Paiva as himself {{small|(Portuguese-American wedding singer)}}
}}


==Production and filming locations==
==Production and filming locations==
⚫
[[Image:Mystic Pizza Restaurant.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The Mystic Pizza restaurant in downtown Mystic]]


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>
⚫
[[Image:Mystic Pizza Restaurant.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The Mystic Pizza restaurant in downtown Mystic.]]


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/>
⚫
The title of the film was inspired by a pizza shop that caught the eye of Hollywood screenwriter Amy Holden Jones:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epixhd.com/mystic-pizza/|title=EPIX – Watch Thousands of Movies and Originals on Every Screen|website=www.epixhd.com}}</ref> ''Mystic Pizza'' restaurant located in [[Mystic, Connecticut]], which has been popular among both locals and tourists since 1973.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysticpizza.com/about_us.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-09-26 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926064728/http://www.mysticpizza.com/about_us.aspx |archivedate=2011-09-26 |df= }}</ref> 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, 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]] 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 movie 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, 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|first=|last=fast-rewind.com|website=www.fast-rewind.com}}</ref>
⚫
[[Image:70 Water St Stonington.jpg|thumb|left|150px|70 Water Street in Stonington. Filming location for the Mystic Pizza restaurant]]
⚫
The 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==
⚫
[[Image:70 Water St Stonington.jpg|thumb|right|150px|70 Water Street in Stonington. Filming location for the Mystic Pizza restaurant]]
Goldwyn spent a company-record $6.5 million on prints, 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==
==Critical response==
The film opened on October 21, 1988, to mostly favorable reviews, with a [[Rotten Tomatoes]] score of 77% for its VHS release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mystic_pizza/|title=Mystic Pizza (1988)|publisher=}}</ref> The film received "two thumbs up" from popular film critics [[At the Movies (1986 TV program)|Siskel and Ebert]],<ref>http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/atm/reviews.html?sec=1&subsec=48{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> giving particular praise to the three female leads, including Gish, whom Ebert likened to a "young [[Katharine Hepburn]]".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19881021/REVIEWS/810210303/1023 | work=Chicago Sun-Times | title=Mystic Pizza}}</ref> He also noted that the film "may someday become known for the movie stars it showcased back before they became stars."
Upon release, the film received mostly mixed 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> which 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>[[Gene Siskel|Siskel, Gene]]; Ebert, Roger. October 22, 1988. [[Siskel & Ebert at The Movies|''At the Movies'']]. Season 3. Episode 6. [[Buena 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's genuine and moving, with enough edge to impress contemporary audiences."<ref name="VarRvw">{{cite magazine |date=31 December 1987 |title=Film reviews: Mystic Pizza |url=https://variety.com/1987/film/reviews/mystic-pizza-1200427513/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref>

On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has a score of 78% based on reviews from 27 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 Pizza |website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref>


==Home media==
==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 | title = Mystic Pizza/Say Anything Double Feature (2009) | accessdate = 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 | accessdate = January 2, 2013}}</ref>
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>

==Stage musical adaptation==
{{Main|Mystic Pizza (musical)}}
On January 22, 2019, it was announced that ''Mystic Pizza'' would be adapted into a stage musical. [[Melissa Etheridge]] would write the score, while [[Gordon Greenberg]] would 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 came 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 film, also directed by Donald Petrie and set in a pizza parlor
* ''[[Townies]]'', a 1996 sitcom with a similar premise


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0095690|Mystic Pizza}}
* {{IMDb title|0095690|Mystic Pizza}}
* {{AllRovi movie|34238|Mystic Pizza}}
* {{AFI film|58979}}
* {{mojo title|mysticpizza|Mystic Pizza}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=84499}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|mystic_pizza|Mystic Pizza}}
* {{Mojo title|mysticpizza|Mystic Pizza}}


{{Donald Petrie}}
{{Donald Petrie}}


[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1980s comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1988 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:1988 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1980s coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:1980s female buddy films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American coming-of-age comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American female buddy films]]
[[Category:American female buddy films]]
[[Category:American romantic drama films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age romance films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:Directorial debut films]]
[[Category:Films about adolescence]]
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[[Category:Films about sisters]]
[[Category:Films about waiters]]
[[Category:Films directed by Donald Petrie]]
[[Category:Films set in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Films set in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Films set in restaurants]]
[[Category:Films shot in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Films shot in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Mystic, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Mystic, Connecticut]]
⚫
[[Category:Films directed by Donald Petrie]]
[[Category:The Samuel Goldwyn Company films]]
[[Category:The Samuel Goldwyn Company films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Amy Holden Jones]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:English-language buddy comedy-drama films]]

Latest revision as of 02:55, 22 December 2024

Mystic Pizza
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDonald Petrie
Screenplay by
Story byAmy Holden Jones
Produced by
  • Mark Levinson
  • Scott Rosenfelt
Starring
CinematographyTim Suhrstedt
Edited by
Music byDavid McHugh
Distributed byThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
Release dates
  • October 18, 1988 (1988-10-18) (premiere)[1]
  • October 21, 1988 (1988-10-21) (United States)[1]
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6 million[1]
Box office$14 million[1]

Mystic Pizza is a 1988 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Donald Petrie in his feature directorial debut, and starring Annabeth Gish, Julia Roberts and Lili Taylor.[2] 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."[3][4] It marked Matt Damon's film debut.

Plot

[edit]

Sisters Kat and Daisy Araújo, and their friend Josephina "JoJo" Barboza, are young Portuguese-American women working as waitresses at Mystic Pizza, a pizza parlor owned by Leona and her husband Vic in the fishing town of Mystic, Connecticut.

JoJo is engaged to be married to Bill, but faints at their wedding because she gets cold feet about making a lifetime commitment. 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 commit.

Kat and Daisy are total opposites. Kat, the younger sister, is an aspiring astronomer. She has been accepted to Yale University on a partial scholarship and, in addition to waitressing at Mystic Pizza, and babysitting, is also working at the Mystic Seaport Whaling Museum‘s planetarium. In contrast, glamorous Daisy's goal is to have as much fun as possible. Their mother is pleased with Kat, but often questions Daisy's life choices and worries that her carefree daughter’s future isn’t secure.

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 becomes infatuated with Tim, an architect and Yale graduate who has hired her to babysit his four-year-old daughter Phoebe while his wife works in England. A relationship develops between them that Kat believes to be love, and they sleep together.

Tensions rise between the two sisters: Kat criticizes Daisy for being promiscuous, which Daisy resents, since Kat is herself having an affair with a married man. However, when Tim’s wife Nicki returns, Tim rejects Kat. Daisy consoles her devastated sister, and they reconcile.

A famous television food critic known as "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, pays the check, and leaves. His approval can do wonders for a restaurant, but they are not optimistic.

A few days later, Tim brings Phoebe to Mystic Pizza because she wants to say goodbye to Kat, as her 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.

JoJo finally marries Bill, Kat accepts a loan from Leona, and Daisy and Charlie 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

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Production and filming locations

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The Mystic Pizza restaurant in downtown Mystic

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.[5]

Jones was set to direct but was replaced by Petrie, who made his feature film directorial debut.[1] The film was also Alfred Uhry's screenwriting debut.[1]

70 Water Street in Stonington. Filming location for the Mystic Pizza restaurant

The filming began October 12, 1987, and was due to last six weeks.[1] The film's plot is set in Mystic,[6] but most of the filming locations were in neighboring towns. The building used for the pizza restaurant was a converted home in Stonington Borough at 70 Water St.[7] After the film's release, the real-life Mystic Pizza building[8] 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 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.[9]

Release

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Goldwyn spent a company-record $6.5 million on prints, advertising, and other marketing activities,[2] including tie-ins with Domino's Pizza and others.[1] The film had 100 pre-opening screenings[2][1] and premiered in Mystic, Connecticut on October 18, 1988.[1] It was released on October 21, 1988.[1]

Reception

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Upon release, the film received mostly mixed reviews,[10] which praised the performances by the three lead actresses. It received "two thumbs up" from popular film critics Siskel and Ebert,[11] giving particular praise to the three female leads, including Gish, whom Ebert likened to a "young Katharine Hepburn".[3] Variety called it "a deftly told coming-of-age story about three young femmes as they explore their different destinies, mostly through romance, it's genuine and moving, with enough edge to impress contemporary audiences."[2]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 78% based on reviews from 27 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."[12] On Metacritic, it has a score of 60% based on reviews from 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]

Home media

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On January 13, 2009, Mystic Pizza and Say Anything... were released as a double feature on DVD.[14] On April 5, 2011, Mystic Pizza was released on Blu-ray.[15]

Stage musical adaptation

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Main article: Mystic Pizza (musical)

On January 22, 2019, it was announced that Mystic Pizza would be adapted into a stage musical. Melissa Etheridge would write the score, while Gordon Greenberg would direct and co-write the book with Sas Goldberg.[16] This came years after a fictional Broadway musical adaptation of the film had served as a plot point in the early part of season 2 of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock in 2007.[17]

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.[18]

See also

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  • Little Italy, a 2018 film, also directed by Donald Petrie and set in a pizza parlor
  • Townies, a 1996 sitcom with a similar premise

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mystic Pizza at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  2. ^ a b c d "Film reviews: Mystic Pizza". Variety. December 31, 1987. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Ebert, Roger (October 21, 1988). "Mystic Pizza". Chicago Sun-Times.
  4. ^ Smith, Sean (October 18, 2013). "'Mystic Pizza' -- 1988". EW.com. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  5. ^ "Mystic Pizza About Us". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
  6. ^ 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 and Stonington.
  7. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  8. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  9. ^ "Mystic Pizza Movie Filming Locations - The 80s Movies Rewind". www.fast-rewind.com.
  10. ^ "MYSTIC PIZZA (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved July 24, 2024. The film premiered 18 Oct 1988 in Mystic, CT, as noted in a 23 Oct 1988 LAT brief, and received a mixed critical reaction
  11. ^ Siskel, Gene; Ebert, Roger. October 22, 1988. At the Movies. Season 3. Episode 6. Buena Vista Television.
  12. ^ "Mystic Pizza (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  13. ^ "Mystic Pizza". Metacritic.
  14. ^ "Mystic Pizza/Say Anything Double Feature (2009)". Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
  15. ^ "Mystic Pizza Blu-ray". Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  16. ^ Evans, Greg (January 22, 2019). "Melissa Etheridge Prepping Musical 'Mystic Pizza' For Stage Delivery". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  17. ^ DeVille, Chris (January 22, 2019). "Melissa Etheridge Writing Songs For Mystic Pizza Musical, Thus Fulfilling 30 Rock's Prophecy". Stereogum. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  18. ^ "Krystina Alabado Stars in Mystic Pizza Musical World Premiere Beginning September 1". September 2021.
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