Passionada (2003)

Synopsis: PASSIONADA is an charming, funny and surprising love story set in the Portuguese-American community of New Bedford, Mass. Three generations of women are torn between their instincts and their old... PASSIONADA is an charming, funny and surprising love story set in the Portuguese-American community of New Bedford, Mass. Three generations of women are torn between their instincts and their old world traditions. Celia Amonte (Sophia Milos) is a beautiful and charismatic woman in her mid-thirties who lost her beloved husband at sea. Despite the urging of her daughter Vicky (Emmy Rossum) and mother-in-law (Lupe Ontiveros), she continues to mourn his loss, which is the tradition in the Portuguese community. But when she sings her native fado music at a local restaurant, she feels the passion she keeps buried inside. Celia feels that love and romance have died with the death of her husband. As a single parent she spends much of her energy trying to control her teenage daughter, who, secretly tries to fix up her mother on an Internet dating service and goes off on mysterious late night excursions to the local gambling casino. There she meets Charlie Beck (Jason Isaacs), a charming Englishman and professional gambler. When Charlie and his friends (Teresa Russell and Seymour Cassel) show up at the restaurant where Celia is performing, he is thunderstruck by Celia’s beauty and the sensuality of the music. As Charlie pursues Celia, Vicky pursues Beck. Finally he agrees to teach her how to play black jack and count cards if she’ll help him with the courtship of her mother. Initially Celia wants no part of Charlie, but through persistence he gradually wins her over. He makes her laugh and re-awakens her passion for life and love. But in order to get close to her he has lied about who he is and what he does. Eventually he must tell her the truth. What a woman who is “comfortable around fish” and the traditional life of her Portuguese community and a neer-do-well gambler have in common is the secret at the heart of PASSIONADA. They are both trapped in the past looking for a second chance, except they don’t know it. Once Celia accepts what she’s been missing, she can open her heart and get on with the rest of her life. PASSIONADA is one of those rare movies where a happy ending is earned, and life truly feels like something worth celebrating. [More]

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Seymour Cassel, Lupe Ontiveros, Sofia Milos

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Seymour Cassel, Lupe Ontiveros, Sofia Milos, Emmy Rossum, Theresa Russell

Director: Dan Ireland

Director: Dan Ireland
Screenwriter: Jim Jermanok, Steve Jermanok
Producer: David Bakalar
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

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