Mystic Pizza

Starring: Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor, Adam Storke

Year: 1988

I wanted to watch something new, but being I didn't have anything new, I decided to go for an oldie. An oldie that's been sitting in my cabinet for years. My brain having little recollection of it - other than remembering I liked it those many years ago.

Mystic Pizza follows the lives of Daisy, Kat and Jojo (Roberts, Gish & Taylor), fresh out of high school. All three working as waitresses at a pizzeria, in the quaint, charming, small town of Mystic, Connecticut. All three, filled with dreams of one day finding new and more exciting lives, outside of Mystic.

Daisy (Roberts) and Kat (Gish) are sisters. Daisy, is the older, sexy, foul-mouthed sister; while Kat the more conservative, plain, sensible one. And then there's Jojo. The best friend to both; who is loyal, chatty and fun, adding the perfect ingredients to the mix.

But let's not forget about the boys that complicate their lives. For Daisy, there is Charles - the rich, young, and handsome boy who sweeps her off her feet. For Kat - there is Tim - the married man who happens to be the father of the little girl she is babysitting. And for Jojo, there is Bill - who Jojo has already left at the alter once but is still madly in love with.

Fun Fact: there is a short scene, set at the dining room table with Charles' family. And who would be the actor playing Charles' little brother? None other than cute, adorable, 18-year old Matt Damon. That took me by surprise. But I guess, way back then (1988), I wouldn't even have known who Matt Damon was. And as a matter of fact, I don't think I would have even known who Julia Roberts was either.

Mystic Pizza is cute, funny, and heart-warming. Sure it's got some romance, but it's really more about figuring out what we want in life. The choices we make. The consequences to those choices. And finally discovering what matters most.

It's not a fast-paced movie, nor is it deep. But it works. And it's pretty predictable, but that's okay. I was looking for "new-ish", light, with a happy ending. And it didn't disappoint.

Favourite Lines:

*I f*&%ed up. Yeah, but you gave it a 100% effort.

*Think I got eyes in my butt? Well, that's where your brains are.

*Don't monkey with tradition.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.