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Laura San Giacomo, introduced to us in the gangbuster role in sex, lies & videotape (1989), only appeared in a handful of empty independent films or small parts in blockbusters (Julia Roberts' best friend in Pretty Woman) before nabbing the starring role in the TV series Just Shoot Me starting in 1997. Nina Takes a Lover,a trite, cute comedy, finds San Giacomo as a wife who decides she deserves a break today and jumps into a lovable affair with a visiting British photographer (Paul Rhys). To first-time filmmaker Alan Jacobs's credit, he takes a earnest road, but the movie takes itself too seriously. Nina narrates her plight to a journalist (Michael O'Keefe) who notes these things (do we know anybody like this?) and before you can say Red Shoe Diaries she's igniting her love life. The film might have been more successful if it stayed as light as a Sandra Bullock vehicle (While You Were Sleeping opened at the same time) although it showcases San Giacomo's leading-lady appeal and provides an interesting role for the brooding Rhys. There's a lovely score by Todd Boekelheide to boot. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nina Takes A Lover
I have'nt viewed this movie as of yet. I'm a big fan of Laura San Giacomo.I watch her on the show just shoot me. I also have the movie "The Stand",even though it was a small part in this movie I thought she was great in The Stand.I also have another movie that I thought Laura was wonderful in "Quigly Down Under". Before I saw Laura On tv I only knew her from a few movies.The movie "Nina Takes A Lover" I only just found out about I don't know to much about this movie other then what I have read on the internet. I have tried to order this movie but for some reason they told me they can't get it is this movie out of print i asked they could'nt give me a answer. so I thought that i would try the internet.I'm glad that I did.If this movie is as good as The Stand and Quigly Down Under I'm sure I'll enjoy this movie also.
Thanks,A Fan Of Laura San Giacomo

A True Refreshing "Love" Story
Not only the beautiful imagery and the thrill of a realistic love story, the best thing I found in this film was the shocking ending. Throughout the entire film I had no idea what this all was leading up to. If for nothing else see this movie to find out the hidden twist in the plot!

Not quite a red delicious
In the early part of this film, Nina (Laura San Giacomo) tries to attract the attention of a handsome young man in a leather jacket. She bites down loudly (cue sound effect) on an amazingly fresh, crunchy, meaty apple.

As opposed to this film, which, in apple terms, has blotchy tone, a mealy taste, and a sickeningly mushy interior. Not quite rotten to the core, enjoyable if you're really craving an apple.

So, the good: Christi Conaway and Fisher Stevens are amusing in secondary roles. There are some amusing scenes, and there is a kind-of surprising twist towards the end.

Kind of good, kind of bad: Laura San Giacomo, who wields her galactically expressive face like a blunt axe, sometimes hits her scenes perfectly, and other times indiscriminately pauses for annoying effect. Paul Rhys, who prior to this played "The Responsible Brother of Insanely Talented Men" (Vincent & Theo, Chaplin), is supposed to be handsome and mysterious, but he often seems to be overacting his underacting.

Bad, bad, bad: The framing device of the journalist interviewing the characters of this story for their take on infidelity. Also bad -- the setting, the lame conclusion of the panty-swiping gag, and some really badly written "serious" dialogue.

Recommended for Laura San Giacomo fetishists, or people that really want to see a relationship drama, but have run out of other options.

INDEPENDENT FILM REFRESHMENT!
NINA TAKES A LOVER IS BY FAR ONE OF THE MOST THOUGHTFUL, CREATIVE AND UNIQUE INDEPENDENT/LOW BUDGET FILMS I HAVE EVERE SEEN. I FIRST SAW THIS FILM IN MEXICO WHERE IT WAS SUBTILTLED AND ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH ITS INTENSE CHARACTERS AND REALISTIC JUXTAPOSITIONS BETWEEN THE CHEATING PARTNER AND THE DRIFTING HEART. LAURA SAN GIACOMO IS AT HER ARTISTIC BEST AND THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF CHRISTI CONNAWAY AND FISHER STEVENS IS HILARIOUSLY TOUCHING(THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ME IN EVERY CUP!). INDEPENDENT FILMS, SUCH AS THIS, COMPOSE THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL-TYPE MASTERPIECES. I'VE READ CERTAIN CRITICAL REVIEWS ON THIS FILM BY CRITICS WHO HAVE NO APPRECIATION FOR AN OUT-OF-THE-ORIDNARY , NON-BLOCKBUSTER MINDLESS HIT. I GUARANTEE YOU, THE ENDING TWIST OF THIS FILM IS A REFRESHING, FELLINIESQUE SHOCK. BESIDES EVERYTIME I RENT IT I GET A CERTAIN WARM FEELING THAT DOES COME IN TODAYS MINDLESS "MOVIES". ALSO WHOEVER COMPOSED THE MUSIC IN THE FILM IS FANTASTIC-I WISH THERE WAS A SOUNDTRACK! ... Read more