Alto

Mikki del Monico's Alto uses Italian-American culture as a jumping-off point for an LGBT screwball comedy. Frankie (Diana DeGarmo), lead singer in a local band, works in an Italian restaurant with her fiancé, Tony (Jake Robards), who plans to start his own line of frozen foods. Tony figures that Frankie will give up her dream of a music career once they're married, but she can't imagine doing anything else. Frankie's manicurist sister Heather (Melanie Minichino) is addicted to the show Mob Hit, which Frankie feels perpetuates stereotypes about Italian-Americans, although her family certainly flirts with a few—like her father (David Valcin), who collects Dean Martin tapes and has a special affection for The Godfather theme. When Frankie's group, the Altos, rents a car for a gig, they're shocked to find a body in the trunk. Out of curiosity, Frankie and Heather attend a wake for the victim, where they meet Nicky (Natalie Knepp), a Don's daughter, who takes a shine to Frankie. Nicky also works on Mob Hit, and she encourages Frankie to appear on the show. The women's ensuing friendship attracts the attention of the FBI, although neither is involved in any criminal activity. As Frankie develops feelings for Nicky, the plot becomes increasingly complicated as misunderstandings develop between characters, including Nicky's father (Billy Wirth) and Frankie's divorced parents (Annabella Sciorra plays her mother). Director del Monico splices and dices influences ranging from The Sopranos to Married to the Mob, and while it doesn't all work, American Idol star DeGarmo—who does her own singing—makes for a sympathetic protagonist. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)