Louis and Frank

Running time: N/A

Some men live their lives regretting that they never pursued their dreams. Louis and Frank is a charming and funny film in which the title characters take a shot at realizing their childhood fantasy of becoming singing sensations. Louis (Steven Randazzo) runs a small, inept New York moving company by day. But he spends all his spare time in the basement of his house, microphone in hand, weaving song stylings to an imaginary audience in his fully equipped karaoke studio. The reality, however, is that long ago he put his show business aspirations on hold to earn a living for his family - and is resigned to life as is. Then, out of nowhere, his long-lost cousin and childhood singing partner, Frank (Francesco Messina), arrives from Sicily. The "Bitchin' DiBuffonis," as they used to call themselves, are back with their show biz dreams. This hilarious film chronicles the cousins' attempt to at least hit it small. Gigs that their gun-toting talent agent (Tony Curtis) gets them include doing a floor show at a New Jersey bowling alley, doing an uproarious singing TV promo for Louis's moving company, and performing in drag at a gay night club. This offbeat, highly entertaining offering by writer/director Alexandre Rockwell (In the Soup) contains superb acting all around, highlighted by a tour de force performance by Tony Curtis in one of his best roles. --Jeff Rhodie