classicsoncall Review of Feast of the Seven Fishes

Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019)

"It's red, it's green, and a little bit of white, or it's not Christmas".

[7/10 · 19 December 2023]

I have to admit, I've always wanted to participate in one of those pre-Christmas dinner parties that involved the Italian tradition of the Seven Fishes. I'm not Italian myself but would enjoy the camaraderie and menu selection if anyone out there is listening. As for the story, this came across as one of those 'every day in the life of a small town' experiences, this one set in early 1980's West Virginia. Centered around an extended Italian family, the focus is on teenager Tony Oliverio (Skyler Gisondo) transitioning into manhood with the hopes and concerns facing someone making important life decisions. The prior breakup with a former girlfriend (Addison Timlin) threatens to impede on a potential new relationship, itself hampered by class distinctions held important by Beth Claremont's (Madison Iseman) materialistic mother (Lisa Velten Smith). Tony's family is very typically old school Italian, often approaching a Soprano type vibe when Grandpa Johnny (Paul Ben-Victor), Uncle Frankie (Joe Pantoliano), and Uncle Carmine (Ray Abruzzo) gather around the family table. The good-natured ribbing that takes place among them gives the picture the dose of humor you would expect in a film like this. It's a pretty formulaic story when all is said and done regarding what happens with Tony and Beth, a minor monkey wrench thrown in which is peremptorily dealt with off screen. In case you were wondering, the seven fishes (I always thought fish was plural by itself) in the story were baccalà/salted cod, whiting, smelts, eel, shrimp, calamari and oysters. Not to get too technical, but shrimp are crustaceans, and the last two are mollusks, but I wouldn't turn down an invite on that basis.