Mighty Fine

Mighty Fine is a 2012 American film.^[1]

Synopsis

In the 1970s, a Jewish American businessman from Brooklyn, New York, moves his family to New Orleans, Louisiana, where his textile factory is relocated.^[1] However, life in the South gets tough as he lives beyond his means and overspends, while a big investor decides to pull out of the deal.^[1] Desperate, he takes a loan from the local mob and snaps at his wife and daughters. He sees a psychologist upon his wife's urging, but he assures him he is fine and his wife must be unduly concerned because she is a Holocaust survivor. However, after he attempts to commit suicide, his wife calls the police and they send him to a psychiatric hospital to deal with his anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, his younger daughter wins a US$500-poetry competition sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company. Eventually, she sees her father again when he has recovered from stress.

Cast

• Chazz Palminteri as Joe Fine
• Andie MacDowell as Stella Fine
• Jodelle Ferland as Natalie Fine
• Rainey Qualley as Madie Fine
• Paul Ben-Victor as Bobby
• Arthur J. Nascarella as Lennie
• Richard Kohnke as Earl
• Kent Jude Bernard as Louie
• Monica Acosta as Elvis Concert Goer
• Erin Booth as High School Student
• Beau Brasseaux as Restaurant customer (as Beau Brasso)
• Edward J. Clare as Patient
• Rebecca Collins as High school student
• Miles Doleac as Mr. Smith
• Ron Flagge as Sam
• Emily D. Haley as Auditions Member
• Lee Hardee as Southern Boy
• Cynthia LeBlanc as Hospital Patient
• Elton LeBlanc as Hospital Patient
• Ann McKenzie as Poetry Contest Judge
• Joseph Meissner as Veterinarian
• Melody Noel as High school student
• Geraldine Singer as Gracie
• Lauren Rae Sullivan as High School Student
• Brandon Teir as Buddy the Family Dog
• Stefan Terrell as Store Clerk
• Lloyd Watts as Man on Car
• Todd Williams as Boris
• John T. Wilson Jr. as Wiseguy
• Sally Winters as Narrator

Critical reception

The film received a rating of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes.^[1] The Hollywood Reporter gave a scathing review, suggesting it stood "a slim chance of carving out much of a niche from an anticipated Memorial Day weekend limited release."^[2] The Los Angeles Times published a similarly bad review, adding Andie McDowell seemed "so constricted by her awkward Polish accent and timid persona that she tends to disappear in front of us."^[3] The New York Times suggested it "chugs along heartily until it abruptly stops on the edge of cliff, leaving you feeling shortchanged. It is a couple of crucial scenes away from feeling complete."^[4]

References