Once Around

1990

Once Around (1990)

TOMATOMETER

70%
75%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

73%

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Movie Info

Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom made his American movie debut with this romantic comedy, starring Holly Hunter as Renata Bella, an aimless Bostonian thirtysomething who attends a seminar for aspiring condo salespersons. Here she meets hotshot salesman Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss), who immediately falls in love with her. After the marriage, Sam's well-meaning but obnoxious insistence on insinuating himself into every aspect of Renata's life rubs the rest of her family the wrong way. Though the script occasionally veers into both cliché and sentimentality, Once Around ends up a thoroughly charming experience, thanks to Hallstrom's knowing direction and the marvelous chemistry between Hunter and Dreyfuss.

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Cast

Richard Dreyfuss
as Sam Sharp
Holly Hunter
as Renata Bella
Danny Aiello
as Joe Bella
Laura San Giacomo
as Jan
Gena Rowlands
as Marilyn Bella
Roxanne Hart
as Gail Bella
Danton Stone
as Tony Bella
Tim Guinee
as Peter Hedges
Greg Germann
as Jim Redstone
Griffin Dunne
as Rob
Cullen O. Johnson
as Sonny
Joan Gay
as Aunt
Lou Criscuolo
as Uncle
Cullen Oliver Johnson
as Sonny
Fran Kumin
Myra Taylor
as Trainer #1
Michael Steve Jones
as Trainer #2
Sabah
as Belly Dancer
Susanne Reed
as Young Jan Bella
Caroline Parton
as Honey Beach
John Bennes
as Minister
Archie Fallon
as Little Boy
William Wolkovich
as Lithuanian Priest
Meg Simon
Dorothy Stevenson-Bigby
as Justice of the Peace
Allen A. Mele
as Roving Violinist
Barry Reed
as Young Joe Bella
Heather Reed
as Young Renata Bella
Susan Reed
as Young Jan Bella
Jonathan A. Cramer
as Young Tony Bella
Gerald A. Benullo
as Wedding Guest
Sal Ruffino
as Wedding Guest
David Kramer
Susan Felcher
Mandala Folk Dance Ensemble
as Lithuanian Dancer
Mandala Orchestra
as Lithuanian Musician
Myrtha D. Severe
Sheilach Weymouth
Robyn Finn
Garry Goodrow
Jim Kirk
Dominic Marcus
Craig Sechler
Kate Skinner
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News & Interviews for Once Around

Richard Dreyfuss’ Five Favorite Films
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Critic Reviews for Once Around

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (8)

This is both recommendation and warning: Once Around is easy to take but hard to swallow.

Feb 6, 2018 | Full Review…
Newsweek
Top Critic

This rather overbearing romantic comedy is by no means a disaster.

Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
Time Out
Top Critic

Ethnic romances from Abie's Irish Rose to Moonstruck have traveled similar ground, but few have handled the role of family in a marriage more poignantly than Once Around.

May 12, 2001 | Rating: 2.5/4
Rolling Stone
Top Critic

On the whole Once Around is strangely enervating, proof that family problems -- even those of fictional families -- are often best kept behind closed doors.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Washington Post
Top Critic

There is no there there, just the dead red glow of the beckoning Exit light.

Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…
Washington Post
Top Critic

The first movie in a long time to leave me speechless.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Once Around

½

A beautiful movie!

Leo L
Leo L

Super Reviewer

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