There's not a single surprise or moment of dramatic tension in Uncle Nino, which has already proved itself a hit as a self-distributed film in the Midwest.
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The acting is endearing and the story has great charm before predictability and sentimentality eventually take over.
A creaky, cliched, feel-good family drama about learning to stop and smell the roses - and planting a vegetable garden while you're at it - Uncle Nino is shameless, sappy fare.
50
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Writer-director Robert Shallcross believes in it so passionately that he came close to convincing me too.
40
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Written and directed by Robert Shallcross, and seemingly misdirected into theaters from its natural home on the ABC Family Channel, Uncle Nino is a sweet but not particularly distinguished effort.
Aggressive heartwarmer, which turns out to be much more of a heartburner.
38
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
Chicago TribuneAllison Benedikt
It's all neat and sweet and one-dimensional, more the moral to a story than a story.
30
Village Voice
Village Voice
The elderly, violin-toting hero's successful attempt to infiltrate his miscreant nephew's mall-punk garage band is too creepy to fulfill the hipness quotient.