5/5 Humorous And Sweet
  by Callie (Ohio, USA)
I've been interested in seeing this for a long time and finally bought it on a whim. I wasn't sure what to expect; the trailer for the film made it look pretty good, but I also felt like it would be easy to make this film cheesy or just dull.

I was happily surprised to find myself laughing throughout the entire movie! It was very funny and somehow managed to remain thoughtful during the process. Our main character, Allegra, (portrayed wonderfully and with excellent timing by Elizabeth Reaser) undergoes a tremendous transformation and makes me feel as though I'm on the ride with her. I find her to be a character that most people have been able to relate to at some point in their lives, which is another reason I was laughing so much; I could see similar things happening to many other people. (Not necessarily the bisexual love triangle, but I digress)

Though this movie didn't disappoint in making me smile, you may feel tears behind your eyes once or twice depending on how sympathetic you are to movie characters. (That's not a minus though!)

I am proud to call it one of the best independant films I have ever seen and I now gladly have this sitting in the front of my movie collection, as it has become an instant favorite. "Puccini For Beginners" is something that I easily see myself rewatching again and again, while laughing and loving it every single time.

4/5 Puccini for Beginners: Girl-on-Girl Romances are Like Opera.
  by G. Merritt (Boulder, CO)
Maria Maggenti is known for her 1995 film, The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love, which as the title suggests, tells the story of two high school girls who fall in love. Her more recent film, Puccini for Beginners, brought audiences to their feet at its Sundance Film Festival premiere in 2006. Set in New York, a city of endless possibilities, it chronicles the lesbian breakup of Samantha (Julianne Nicholson) and Allegra Castiglione (Elizabeth Reaser), an opera-loving writer with a history of relationship issues. Basically, she is afraid to say, "I love you." After she meets Columbia professor Philip (Justin Kirk) at a party while binging on Camembert, Allegra unknowingly has sex with his hot ex-girlfriend, Grace (Gretchen Mol). Allegra then begins multi-dating both Philip and Grace, afraid to commit to either, before Grace shows Allegra a picture of her ex-boyfriend, Philip. After Philip and Grace confess to each other that they're seeing someone else, they eventually realize they've been seeing the same woman. Puccini is known for his romantic operas like La bohème, Manon Lescaut, and Madama Butterfly, in which characters typically have more than one lover and romantic relationships are synonymous with heartbreak.. In that respect, Maggenti pays homage to Puccini with her sophisticated film. Puccini for Beginners is funny, witty, and smart. Although it doesn't even equal Woody Allen's lesser work, Maggenti's urbane film is entertaining lesbian cinema without any ideological agenda.

G. Merritt

4/5 Very Good Romantic Film
  by barry (Boston, MA United States)
This movie is a very enjoyable, thought provoking romantic comedy. It comes across as lighter than it actually is. But its lightness makes it a joy to watch and it will linger in your thoughts after with the messages it puts across.

PUCCINI FOR BEGINNERS tells the story of a lesbian who keeps having short lived romantic relationships due to her fear of commitment. The film begins with yet another girlfriend breaking up with her and then our main character settles for living life alone. Of course at that point she meets two people with whom she becomes involved - a man and a woman. And the added twist is they are a couple themselves.

The film is not a statement movie about homosexuality but rather a film where all the characters accept each other for who they are. Allegra, our main character is indeed a lesbian, but she does not hate men. She develops feelings for the man with whom she gets involved but she knows it is a rarity. She is most comfortable with women. He also accepts her and does not question why a lesbian is being with a man. As he says TO ME YOU ARE JUST ALLEGRA.

The story unfolds with solid acting and comic situations mixed in as Allegra goes on a deep journey of self discovery. Believe it or not, I must disagree with some other reviewers. I do believe some peoples lives are as straightforward and carefree as our characters here. For this movie requires a deeper examination. Their outer lives seem satisfying yet all of them are going through inner emotional struggles. They are all good people who are learning about themselves and sometimes good is rewarded.

it is a joy to see a gay film that is not an issue film but merely a film about believable, very real characters on realistic journeys. I highly recommend you travel with them. You will laugh, may have a tear or two and it will linger with you after. You will certainly be inspecting the way you yourself feel about true commitment and acceptance.

Very enjoyable. Highly recommend.

4/5 Puccini for Beginners
  by debi (CA)
I doubt anyone's lifestyle is this carefree, much less the lead character's, but a lot of care went into this movie and so I liked it.

5/5 Loved It!!!!!
  by A. Marin (New York, New York)
I loved this movie it was so funny and cute. It was kinda annoying but I loved the end it was a real good movie I really recommend it!!