Pranzo di Ferragosto

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Pranzo di Ferragosto

2010

1h 15m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An affable bachelor, Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio), who still lives with his elderly mother (Valeria De Franciscis), has coasted through life and has no complaints about that. But coasting also means not paying the bills for his condo, and the landlord, Alfonso (Alfonso Santagata), has had enough. He makes Gianni an offer -- Alfonso wants to go on holiday, and will forget about the bills if Gianni takes care of his mother. Soon, Gianni is taking care of several mothers and trying to stay afloat.

Critics Consensus

Thoughtful, warm-hearted, and delightfully free of pretense, Mid-August Lunch offers viewers a light diversion with some surprising depth.

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Nicolas Rapold

Film Comment Magazine

Nov 13, 2013

Shot handheld and mostly confined to the apartment, the film is (despite some mild food tourism) a delightful feat

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Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

Jun 4, 2010

3/5

These women! These women are marvelous.

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Linda Barnard

Toronto Star

May 20, 2010

3.5/4

A simple and endlessly charming look at a weekend in the life of an uncomplicated middle-aged man living with his aging mama.

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Nov 27, 2020

This intimate little movie is an unexpected delight: sweet, gentle, and surprisingly life affirming - a film that raises your spirits even while making you contemplate mortality.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Oct 19, 2019

3.5/5

A breezy, brief film.

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Ellie Lucas

From the Front Row

Aug 5, 2019

3/4

This is character based comedy without jokes or punchlines, but filled with a sparkling dry wit that arises from the situations themselves.

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Ferdinando L

@FerdinandoLM Jun 30, 2026

Mid August Lunch divides with its minimalist approach. While some viewers would dismiss the narrative as forgettable and pointless, arguing it lacks real emotional weight, others celebrate its undeniable charm. The movie avoids a caustic perspective on aging, choosing instead to present a gentle, leisurely look at a man managing a lively group of older women. It succeeds as a saddening slice of Italian life. A very modest production, yet truly engaging.

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Claudio C

@Claudio666 Dec 18, 2025

Extremely Low-Budget Italian Movie, almost a Home-Video (12,135 – 18 Dec 2025 – Claudio Carvalho) In Rome, the middle-aged Gianni does not work, only takes care of his mother Valeria in her old apartment. Consequently, he has many debts, On the eve of the Italian holiday Ferragosto, the administrator of the building Alfonso proposes Gianni to call off his debts if he takes care of his mother Marina and his Aunt Maria. Gianni and his mother see the chance to reduce the debts and accept the proposal. Immediately after, Dr. Marcellino asks Gianni to take care of his mother Grazia. Soon the apartment becomes a nursing home and Gianni needs to satisfy the elders. "Pranzo di ferragosto", a.k.a., "Mid-August Lunch" (2008) is an extremely low-budget Italian movie, almost a home-video. Using amateurish old women, Gianni Di Gregorio succeeds in making a funny comedy, although overrated. My vote is six. Title (Brazil): "Almoço em Agosto" ("Lunch in August")

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Apr 27, 2018

This one needs to be rediscovered.

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May 29, 2017

Charming, funny, and humane. A delight.

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Apr 16, 2014

A sweet and delicious comedy

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Sep 13, 2013

Proves that a movie can have a simple premise but still be remarkable.

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Gianni Di Gregorio

Director

Gianni Di Gregorio

Giovanni

Valeria De Franciscis

Valeria

Marina Cacciotti

Marina

Maria Cali

Zia Maria

Grazia Cesarini Sforza

Grazia

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Synopsis

An affable bachelor, Gianni (Gianni Di Gregorio), who still lives with his elderly mother (Valeria De Franciscis), has coasted through life and has no complaints about that. But coasting also means not paying the bills for his condo, and the landlord, Alfonso (Alfonso Santagata), has had enough. He makes Gianni an offer -- Alfonso wants to go on holiday, and will forget about the bills if Gianni takes care of his mother. Soon, Gianni is taking care of several mothers and trying to stay afloat.

Director: Gianni Di Gregorio
Producer: Matteo Garrone
Screenwriter: Gianni Di Gregorio, Simone Riccardini
Distributor: Zeitgeist
Production Co: RAI Cinema, Archimede
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 17, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $673.7K
Runtime: 1h 15m

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