source: Once Around

This bland, unspectacular film lacks the artistic clout of director Lasse Hallström's later work (like "The Cider House Rules") or the sheer class of his earlier (like "ABBA: The Movie"). What's worse, it pairs cute-as-a-button Holly Hunter with the obnoxious Richard Dreyfuss, who looks like Jack Warden (venerable character actor and "Big Ben" in the epic "Problem Child" series). It's creepy. In every frame of this movie the romantic lead looks exactly like the lecherous old man from "Dirty Work". I kept expecting exchanges like: Holly Hunter: I love you. Richard Dreyfuss: You got me a *?!?!? A weird cinematic experience.

With a strong cast of some of Hollywood's best veteran actors and a highly respected director of praised dramas, "Once Around" got what it needs to lift it out of a often used formula. It is wonderful to see such an eclectic cast of characters together making something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfus deserve each other as a highly charged couple. Dreyfus's Sam is a piece of work - brash, manipulative and yet engaging. Hunter is full of nervous energy. Gena Rowland does not disappoint in displaying the power in her character in the scene where she confronts Dreyfus in protection of her husband at a reception. The one character that stood out the most, in my mind,is Danny Aiello's family patriarch. His is a laconic, slightly wounded man, trying to remain dignified while holding the family together. He was overshadowed by the showy Dreyfus. You feel his pains. But when Dreyfus got sick near the end, he would carry him into the house when Dreyfus and Hunter come to visit. What could improve the ending is have daughter (Hunter) and father (Aiello) walk hand-in-hand in the snow, to symbolize her journey home and finds love and support where she always knew were there. 3 of 4 stars.

This is a great movie that didn't get a fair break when it was first released. The cast is wonderful, especially the re-teaming of Richard Dreyfus and Holly Hunter (Both were fantastic in the film, "Always," too). Renata Bella (Hunter)comes from a close knit family. Her parents (Danny Aiello and Gena Rowlands), sister (Laura San Giacomo) and brother (Danton Stone) are a happy bunch. But poor Renata seems groundless and had just broken up with her boyfriend. During a seminar, she meets Sam Sharpe (Dreyfus), a man that is full of life and brutally honest. They fall in love and she takes him to meet her family, who are dismayed by his behavior and equally dismayed when Sam marries Renata. She doesn't understand why her family dislikes Sam, and this causes a rift between the once tight family. When an illness befalls Sam, the family rallies together to make sure he's o.k. This is not a woman's film where you get all emotional, but a film about the importance of family. Great addition to your collection.

I found this movie/the story mesmerizing. Holly Hunter is exceptional, but then the entire cast is perfect. I don't share the thought that Dreyfuss' character was obnoxious. I think he was just full of life and willing to lay it on the line, all the time, because you only go around once. Hence the title, Once Around. He didn't play it safe. I had a hard time understanding why the Bella family could not accept him. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain by developing their relationship with him. I actually felt the family members were envious of Renata and Sam and their love for each other. It's a great study in family dynamics. It's well-worth watching. I'm going to watch it again, today.

During one insomnia driven night/morning, I found this movie playing. I enjoy Holly Hunter's acting so I thought I would watch this film "Once Around." I found Sam's character to be wildly inappropriate and selfish. Sam could not take "no" for an answer on anything he wanted to do. The funeral scene in which Renata's father had buried his mother was particularly telling of Sam's poor qualities. Sam insisted upon singing his Lithuanian song to celebrate Joe's mother. His wife intervened politely and then quite sternly, but Sam was relentless in believing he was right. Not until Joe and Renata became involved in the seemingly silly argument was Sam forced to step aside albeit briefly. The next opportunity to rub his precious song in their faces was just after Renata gave birth. As the Renata's family circled her and her little baby girl, Sam brought in some musicians so he could sing his damn song. If I had been the matriarch or patriarch of the family I would have slugged him. Sam would not let anyone deter him from doing what he always wanted. I thought the screenwriters did not confront the allegations brought up between the Renata's sister and Joe. The conversation occurred during the wedding reception and Joe thought Sam was essentially buying off Renata and not treating her as an equal. I agreed and yet this was never disproved in the movie. Frankly, the age gap, economic disparity, and personality differences made me a disbeliever of this so-called true love. Sam was deranged and could probably qualify for a couple of personality and mental disorders found in the DSMVI. Sam was also too friendly with Renata's mother, sister, and almost every other female character. He was a rich playboy with money to rule and behave as he wished. While not a total jerk in regards to providing for Renata and her family, he lacked the moral intellect and partnership skills necessary for true human relationships. Sam soured my viewing and enjoyment of the film. His death was actually a relief. The supporting cast did an excellent job, but with one of the main characters so abhorrent and the storyline cautious, the movie was a disappointment.

After watching the preview a local tv-station broadcast a couple of times I expected a kind of lame film about a silly romantic girl who falls for the wrong guy who presents himself as a rich spoiled arrogant piece of work and then turns out to be the imposter type. The only reasons I decided to watch it nonetheless were a lack of alternatives at the time, Holly Hunter and good old Richard Dreyfuss. Since the first film I saw with Dickie in it (Moon over Parador) I can't help but love the guy. And I am a man for crying out loud! Anyway, now you know why. And I have no regrets whatsoever. Holly is charmingly innocent, clumsy, all the ingredients for disappointment in life waiting around every corner are present. She clearly is the type who can't do a thing without her father telling her how, when where en with whom. She hasn't exactly grown up and become an independent woman yet. Then her fiance finally bursts her bubble admitting he is not going to marry her. This event triggers her growing up (the theme of the film). I won't reveal the story, but the good thing is it never becomes the true cliche you expect it to. Richard can do the arrogant -yet loving, caring- schmuck on autopilot and clearly has a ball portraying his character, so full of energy. The rest of the cast also display great performance in this little film that keeps surprising. Even though it is an all-American product, it has got none of the typical cheap traits so often spoiling Hollywood films. If you ask me, that explains the relative meager score here on IMDb, I wouldn't be surprised if people just missed the point in this film. A pearl! (8/10)

Flat, uninteresting and uninspired basically sums up Lasse Halstrom's film. A different but very close family is torn apart when their daughter Renata meets and brings home the arrogant, obnoxious and much older Sam Sharp. "Once Around" is too akin to "Moonstruck", with its old fashioned melodies and family drama. Halstrom tries to endear us to the Bella clan early on, but never really succeeds. Any attempt to make us fond of Dreyfuss' character Sharp (a really painful person if ever there was one) fails miserably. Fairly disappointing stuff from a reputable Swedish director. PS None of the comedy really works at all. Saturday, May 2, 1992 - Video

In my opinion 'Once Around' is a movie that was clearly never marketed correctly. It is a well written and has wonderfully created characters each with there own strengths and weaknesses. I admit that only reason I thought to watch it at first is that I find Holly Hunter totally enchanting. Upon watching a few minutes I was sucked in to find out what happens next. Granted most would consider it a 'chick flick', but I generally do not like 'chick flicks'. The trials and tribulations that each member of the family go through upon meeting 'Sam'(Richard Dreyfuss) and the things said amongst the characters are sad, funny and a good representation of life within families. It makes you think, laugh and even cry (yes I admit to it). Anybody who has ever tried to fit in with their spouse's family will definitely find this movie truly entertaining and possibly closer to the truth than parody. Richard Dreyfuss plays the part of a salesman really well. Danny Aiello plays the father of Holly Hunter and really makes the movie in my opinion. The supporting cast does a really good job of playing a family that has inner turmoil like most families tend to have. I think most people who watch this movie will be able to relate to this unsung gem!

A crop of strong actors led down the wrong path. Who told these guys to make this movie? The lead, Richard Dreyfuss, is obnoxious and annoying and the characters' behavior doesn't always make sense. Don't bother unless you are a fan of one of the actors or your cablevision is out.