The reviews are in: The city is a star
 

By AMI ALBERNAZ, Standard-Times correspondent

Photos by PETER PEREIRA, Standard-Times staff photographer
 

NEW BEDFORD -- Regardless of what might be in store for "Passionada" at the box office, the film received a resounding welcome last night from the city in which it was set. Capacity crowds in the six theaters of the Flagship Cinema laughed, applauded, called out the names of familiar local spots and cheered when they recognized a friend among the film's extras.        

     Leaving the theater, those lucky enough to have landed hard-to-get passes for the movie's premiere had nothing but praise. "I just loved it," said Bob Muir of New Bedford. "I was born and brought up in New Bedford, and seeing it on screen was really exciting." When pressed for a favorite part, Mr. Muir admitted it was the shot of St. Anthony's Church. "I went to high school there a long time ago," he said. Jamie Moreira, also of New Bedford, was equally enthusiastic. "I enjoyed the film very much, from beginning to end," he said. "Especially being Portuguese, seeing all the Portuguese scenes was great." Film extra Anthony Branco of Tiverton, R.I., meanwhile, had qualified praise. "I really liked it, and I think it portrayed New Bedford really well, but I'm not sure why they kept using 'nana' instead of 'vavo' (the Portuguese term for grandmother)," Mr. Branco said. As for the fate of the movie, he said, "I'm not sure if it'll do as well as 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' (to which it has been compared), but I hope it does."

     A group of girls who had driven to the premiere from a few farther-flung places in the United States had a somewhat different take. "Jason Isaacs was the reason we all came -- he's so handsome," said Claire Fellows of Chelmsford. Ms. Fellows and her friends belong to a national Jason Isaacs fan club, and met at last night's premiere to watch their man. "I loved all the kissing scenes," said Marie Verderane of Melbourne, Fla. "They were beautiful." And while other filmgoers had high praise for the actors and for the plot, it was by and large the city that stole the show. "The scenes in New Bedford were just really powerful--they captured the best of New Bedford," said Lynn Donahue of Marion. "Sometimes it's hard to put your feelings for a place into words and this movie just showed it."