Original Screenplay by Tony Vitale
Directed by Tony Vitale
Produced by Ira Deutchman & Christine Vachon
Executive Producers: Jane Barclay, Sharon Harel, Tom Carouso, Christopher Lawford
Cast: Nick Scotti, Anthony Barrile, Anthony DeSando, Craig Chester, Molly Price, Christopher Lawford, Domenick Lombardozzi
International Distributor: Capitol Films
Domestic Distributor: Paramount Pictures
91 minutes
Rated R
Complete Press Kit (PDF)
SYNOPSIS
Frankie Zito is a 24-year-old Italian-American who works at a pizza parlor in the Bronx. After coming home one night to find his brother and his girlfriend having sex on the kitchen table, Frankie decides he’s had enough and he’s going to follow his dream; in the long tradition of his countrymen Pacino, DeNiro and Stallone, he would become an actor. But first he’s got to get out of the Bronx.
Warren, a gay actor/choreographer living alone because his roommate/lover has left him for another man, is under pressure from his landlord to pay the overdue back rent. Trying to help, his neighbor Terry secretly puts an ad in the Village Voice on Warren’s behalf seeking a “gay, white male” for an apartment share.
Frankie answers the ad, not realizing that GWM means “gay, white male.” He thinks it means “guy with money.” And thus begins a clash of cultures with some valuable life lessons learned along the way.
HISTORY
“Kiss Me Guido” had its world premiere at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, and was acquired shortly afterward by Paramount Pictures. It was released in the U.S. on July 18, 1997 to rave reviews and was a hit in theaters throughout the rest of the summer. In addition to its successful home video release, the film has had extensive showings on Sundance Channel and Showtime. In 2001, the film was adapted for the CBS sitcom “Some of My Best Friends.”