29th Street

R

Released Nov 1, 1991

1 hr. 41 min.

Drama

List

75%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this fact-based film, happy-go-lucky Frank Pesce Jr. (Anthony LaPaglia) is lucky from the day of his birth, when his mother (Lainie Kazan) gives birth to him in a different hospital than planned -- only to have the first facility burn down. Growing up in an Italian neighborhood in Queens, Frank's irresponsible ways and good fortune irritate his hard-working but luckless father, Frank Pesce Sr. (Danny Aiello). When Frank Jr. is the New York State Lottery's first winner, he angers his dad.

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Orange Oleander R

I loved this feel-good movie, and don't understand why the movie isn't ever shown. It has terrific actors, and a great plot. It's not a Christmas movie, but it would play very well in December.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just one of the best movies ever in the world!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After winning $6.2 million Frank Pesce Jr. is changed He's not too pleased being this lucky given everything else that's happened to him Frank has been lucky from the day of his birth, when his mother gives birth to him in a different hospital than planned -- only to have the first facility burn down Growing up in an Italian neighborhood in Queens, Frank's irresponsible ways and good fortune irritate his hard-working but luckless father, Frank Pesce Sr. This lottery win now angers Frank's father, now it's up to him what to do with the ticket He recalls his life to his financial debt problems to his father's gambling Who's the real winner, who's the real loser? The rocky relationship between the father and son is the glue that keeps this movie afloat Even if the narrative feels more like a Scorsese picture than anything, Anthony Lapaglia and the late Danny Aiello are terrific conflicting forces dealing with how to handle things One has dreams while the other has theirs shattered therefore stepping on his Either one man has to be older, smarter and wiser It's never too late for a Christmas miracle on 29th Street

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

ari v

Requires some suspension of judgement around the edges, but, if you manage - there's myriad delightfully lived-in little neighborhood treasures inbetween.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A movie about a man who wins the first ever New York State lottery.....that barely even explores what happens with that money. Instead, 29th Street diverts all initial expectations with tremendous character relations and a unique narrative structure. An often times funny and amusing perspective on 1970's New York Italian culture and tid-bits of unadulterated brilliance in family dynamics, (specifically father and son).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Nearly a winner- I liked the actors and it is worth seeing

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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George Gallo

Director

Danny Aiello

Frank Pesce, Sr.

Anthony LaPaglia

Frank Pesce, Jr.

Lainie Kazan

Mrs. Pesce

Frank Pesce

Vito Pesce

Donna Magnani

Madeline Pesce

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

29th Street is a movie of considerable energy and good humor, with the expansive Aiello, the uninhibited Kazan and the screwy LaPaglia having a lot of fun with the material.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Nov 1, 1991

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

29th Street is only a badly made asphalt alley without an exit. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 30, 2022

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

Despite itself, 29th Street proves a surprising winner.

Jun 6, 2018

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 4/5

Oct 6, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this fact-based film, happy-go-lucky Frank Pesce Jr. (Anthony LaPaglia) is lucky from the day of his birth, when his mother (Lainie Kazan) gives birth to him in a different hospital than planned -- only to have the first facility burn down. Growing up in an Italian neighborhood in Queens, Frank's irresponsible ways and good fortune irritate his hard-working but luckless father, Frank Pesce Sr. (Danny Aiello). When Frank Jr. is the New York State Lottery's first winner, he angers his dad.

Director: George Gallo
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
Production Co: JVC Entertainment, Permut Presentations, Largo Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround