Once We Were Strangers

1997 1h 31m IT

👍

6.7

SOLID

⭐

6.5

IMDB

★6.7TMDB · 10★6.5IMDB · 278

ComedyRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Antonio is a seductive, charismatic Sicilian living illegally in New York. He wanders from job to job, lives as a squatter and enjoys a carefree romantic tryst with a wealthy art dealer. When he falls in love with Ellen, a strong-willed radio talk-show host who is set to move to Paris within a few days, he decides he must find a way to keep her from leaving.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Vincenzo Amato
Antonio
Jessica Whitney Gould
Ellen
Anjalee Deshpande
Devi
Ajay Naidu
Apu
Lynn Cohen
Natasha
Lázaro Pérez
Homeless Man
Alisha McKinney
Supermarket Cashier
Lou George
Building Security

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Emanuele Crialese
Writers: Emanuele Crialese, Vincenzo Amato, John P. Adams
Languages: Italian, English, Hindi
Countries: United States of America, Italy

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

29 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: Italian, English, Hindi.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United States of America, Italy.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Emanuele Crialese, shot by Sam Selva. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Flavio Ibba. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Simona Paggi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Vincenzo Amato and Jessica Whitney Gould and Anjalee Deshpande carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0158833 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Emanuele Crialese directs. Sam Selva behind the camera. Flavio Ibba scores. Simona Paggi cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America, Italy. Dialogue in Italian, English, Hindi.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

129 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: Italian, English, Hindi.
3International production across 2 countries: United States of America, Italy.
4Directed by Emanuele Crialese, shot by Sam Selva. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Flavio Ibba. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Simona Paggi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Vincenzo Amato and Jessica Whitney Gould and Anjalee Deshpande carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0158833 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 10 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.