Pizza (2005)

31% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(11,978 ratings)

Mark Christopher - writer-director of the hit Miramax drama 54 (1998) - returns to the helmer's chair for the first occasion in eight years with the indie comedy Pizza, from IFC Films. An unofficial homage to mid-80s teen films, the picture concerns Cara-Ethyl (Kylie Sparks), an overweight… More Mark Christopher - writer-director of the hit Miramax drama 54 (1998) - returns to the helmer's chair for the first occasion in eight years with the indie comedy Pizza, from IFC Films. An unofficial homage to mid-80s teen films, the picture concerns Cara-Ethyl (Kylie Sparks), an overweight high-schooler whose mom (screen vet Julie Hagerty) lost her sight in a baking accident. Despondent and lonely as her eighteenth birthday arrives and passes - not to mention embarrassed by her lack of friends - Cara attempts to save face by lying to her mother and pretending that she's expecting a whole host of guests. She then impersonates the "friends" one at a time in front of her mother. When thirty-something pizza delivery guy Matt turns up, Cara falls instantly in love; he then invites her to accompany him, into the night, on his pizza route. As Matt inducts Cara into the area's social realm - replete with bed-hopping flatmates, deadhead teenage addicts and obstinate employers - a friendship forms between the two. Joey Kern, Alexis Dziena and Judah Friedlander co-star. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Mark Christopher
Written By: Mark Christopher
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 27, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Oct 24, 2006
Studio: IFC Films

Critic Reviews

Lael Loewenstein, Variety
A bittersweet, persuasively acted comedy whose tone recalls '80s teen films.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Among slacker comedies, Pizza is never much more than mildly amusing; it isn't as witty as Slacker or as uproarious as Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, but it's a keeper.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
At the end of her spontaneous date, she says it's been the best night of her life. It will not be one of yours.
Nathan Lee, New York Times
Thin, flavorless and heavily garnished with contrivance, this odd couple comedy serves up little but stale whimsy.
Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
Forget 30-minute delivery -- this brand of indie quirkiness congealed in the late '90s.
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
For all its quirky touches, the comedy cleaves to formula in its depiction of how they challenge and change each other.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Even performances, which could have provided spark, are wooden at best, unbelievable at worst.
Uri Lessing, eFilmCritic.com
Pizza will never be the Lou Malnati's deep dish of the independent film world, but its gentle pacing...makes this gem as comforting as mall pizza on a hungry day.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
The characters in this movie don't talk like real people; they all talk like overly clever screenwriters.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
It's Sparks (television's Complete Savages) and Embry (Can't Hardly Wait) who carry this dual coming-of-age tale with engaging, if often raw, performances.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Embry and first-time actress Sparks have charming chemistry, but Christopher's slight screenplay wears out its welcome long before the film -- which runs a scant 80 minutes -- is over.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
If Pizza were an actual pizza, it would be half-pineapple, half-broccoli. At times, this coming-of-age comedy is quirkily saccharine, at others good-for-you sophistic.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
There's a sharp and snappy tone to this irreverent comedy that keeps us laughing even though it's all a bit silly, really.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Megan S

It was a cute, quirky movie. I enjoyed it. Way to "play" the guitar off-screen Ethan! They sure snuck a lot of "fucks" into this "PG-13" movie.
Mark A

Cara-Ethel has to be one of the least appealing character names in film history and serves as a sad commentary on the lonely life this young girl leads. But Cara (Kylie Sparks) has spunk and wit and intelligence hiding in the unappealing body that nature has given her. Celebrating her… More
Cara-Ethel has to be one of the least appealing character names in film history and serves as a sad commentary on the lonely life this young girl leads. But Cara (Kylie Sparks) has spunk and wit and intelligence hiding in the unappealing body that nature has given her. Celebrating her eighteenth birthday with only her mom, and an imaginary friend, Cara strikes up a conversation with the pizza delivery guy and winds up spending an evening with Matt (Ethan Embry), riding around in his truck, talking and experiencing life. This was a tender story about a girl that seems to have developed a pretty healthy attitude despite her disadvantages. The actors really drew this viewer into the story and made us believe these two could actually be friends on the spur of the moment. What began as an act of pity, became a connection that benefited both characters. there were minor quibbles about a few of the choices that went into the setup and some of the supporting characters had little depth, but overall a production that kept it real.