Overworked executive Robert Micelli has little time for his wife and children. This disconnected family is transformed by long-lost Uncle Nino, an old world Italian who arrives for a visit. Nino is able to connect with each member of the family, and teach Robert how to enjoy life's simple pleasures: good food, good music, and love.
The moment Uncle Nino (Pierrino Mascarino) steps off the plane on American soil, in this family tale, you know you're in for culture clash. But just how different are Americans and Italians? Charming moments in Uncle Nino--some comical, some tragic--answer this question. The tranquil Italian countryside that Uncle Nino leaves to visit his nephew, Robert Micelli (Joe Mantegna), make the Micelli family's Glenview, Illinois home look like a deadbeat, suburban nightmare. Uncle Nino's story hinges upon showing the viewer how dull the American daily grind can be, in hopes of reviving passion for family life. In this tale, Robert's wife, Marie (Anne Archer), misses her career-obsessed husband and struggles to communicate with their teenage son, Bobby (Trevor Morgan), who wants to play in a rock band, and daughter, Gina (Gina Mantegna), who longs for a puppy. One can instantly sense a craving for excitement in this bland household. When Nino arrives, fresh flowers appear in vases, the wine flows, and pizza parties start. Sure, Nino is a caricature, but he's there to make one stop and smell the roses, literally (he's a gardening fan).