Bread, My Sweet, The

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

The Bread, My Sweet is not for the cynical, who will doubtlessly find themselves gasping for air before the film's over and demanding a reality check of anyone who actually likes it. Their loss.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Yes, the movie is corny, but no, it's not dumb. It's clever and insightful in the way it gets away with this story, which is almost a fable.

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

Exactly the sort of personalized, non-assembly line treat some audiences are always trying, in vain, to find.

San Francisco Chronicle Jonathan Curiel

A touching, sophisticated film that almost seems like a documentary in the way it captures an Italian immigrant family on the brink of major changes.

Boston Globe Ty Burr

Think low-budget ''Moonstruck'' but think again: A regional dish in the most heartwarming sense.

Washington Post Michael O'Sullivan

Enriched by a strong and unforced supporting cast, "Bread" nourishes the heart, even if its fairy-tale ending feels tacked on and unnecessary.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Cynics need not show up, but if you're looking for a feel-good fairy tale, this one's certainly sweet enough to satisfy.

Chicago Reader J. R. Jones

A rich but regrettably lumpy pastry, with moments of genuine drama redeeming an almost defiantly hokey plot.

Variety Joe Leydon

Lightweight but likable.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

Though The Bread, My Sweet is never even a little bit better than this description makes it sound, writer-director Melissa Martin's stagy, unattractive-looking film should at least get credit for going all the way with its manipulation.

Portland Oregonian Marc Mohan

The plot is straight off the shelf, the performances are television-caliber and the message of providing solace through deception is a little creepy. Then again, that formula resulted in record-breaking ticket sales for "Greek Wedding."

New York Post V.A. Musetto

You know exactly how this thing is going to turn out before it's even half over.

TV Guide Ken Fox

Performances are really what count in a character-driven romantic comedy like this, and each is well above the indie average.

The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck

While the supporting players fall victim to their broadly conceived roles, Baio and Minter underplay charmingly, and actually manage to make us care about their characters despite their less than credible aspects.

Dallas Observer Bill Gallo

More well-meant than well-made, the movie is ethnically accurate (sometimes, you smother in the marinara), but its forced sensitivity can get abrasive, and the drama is full of false notes.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Although this "Moonstruck" knockoff is diverting to watch, it's basically a low-budget loaf of Italian-American movie clichés.

The New York Times Dave Kehr

Pretty much of a mess, full of narrative gaps and characters who arbitrarily appear and disappear. But it is at least a sweet, good-natured mess, with none of the overcalculation and condescending cynicism the same material would almost certainly bring out in a Hollywood production.

Village Voice Alexis Soloski

There's little meaty -- and nothing glandular -- in the slight weepie The Bread, My Sweet.

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

The film would be insufferable if it weren't for the total sincerity and commitment of its players.