The ANNOTICO Report

Love and Intermarrying often takes us away from, or dilutes our Cultural
Identity, which often too late we realize is like a plant uprooted.
Successive Generations  frequently try to re-root to reconnect with that
nurturing source.

The Jewish Community has been more vigilant and more successful in warding
off  Assimilation.

The "Wake in Providence" title took me on a momentary detour, and reminded
me decades ago when I asked my prospective father in law for his permission
to marry, after being with his daughter for 4 years, said I wasn't Jewish
"enough", and if we married, he would "Sit Shiva" (Wake-like).

The Mercury News
Carla Meyer of  the
Sacramento Bee
Fri, Apr. 15, 2005

Tackling the issue of race relations more honestly than the sanitized
``Guess Who,'' this comedy of manners tells the story of Anthony (Vincent
Pagano), an Italian-American who surprises his family by introducing his
black girlfriend, Alissa (Victoria Rowell), at his grandfather's wake.

Anthony's grandmother (Kaye Kingston) tells Alissa that, since she's not
Italian, she is not welcome. Another relative asks that everyone at the
dinner table where Alissa is sitting vote on whether to accept her.

Yet amid its depiction of Italian-American stereotypes, ``A Wake in
Providence'' dispels some trite notions about families. For instance,
Anthony's overbearing mother (Lisa Raggio) is not worried about Alissa's
race, pointing out that Africa is just across the water from Sicily.

Rowell brings a hint of grit to a character who, at first, seems too
perfect. She accuses Anthony of being ashamed of their relationship. She's
more upset that he didn't tell his relatives about her than about their
reactions.

Vincent Pagano -- who co-wrote the script with his brother, Mike Pagano,
and Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore -- makes his character less than
heroic and bubbleheaded at times. Playing Anthony's brother, Mike Pagano is
exciting and emotionally accessible; you almost wish the brothers' roles
had been reversed.

Though amusing and sometimes insightful, the film relies on visual gags and
plot resolutions that seem overly familiar from sitcoms, and the premise
wears thin before the end credits roll.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/
mercurynews/entertainment/11401125.htm