Writer Of ‘Bill’ And ‘Rainman’ Premiers New Movie In Minneapolis

You know the movies. 'Bill" which in 1981 was about a man with a developmental disability. And 'Rainman'. With Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. About an Autistic man. You may not remember that these were written by an Austin Minnesota native who graduated from St. Olaf. Barry Morrow has written as well as now moved into the Director's chair for a new movie called 'Smitten'.

It's a romantic comedy filmed in Italy. According to MPR news, the story is about a cursed village where no one has fallen in love for decades. Then an old man sets a counter-curse. It causes all those who sleep in a certain barn to fall head-over-heels in love with the first living thing they see when they wake up.

The first people in the barn are three Mafiosi who have kidnapped a young American named Tyler. When he tries to escape, bound and hooded, he crashes into a cart owned by Rosalia, who runs the village cantina.

Morrow told MPR "It's very much like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,'" said Morrow. "I tried out for 'Midsummer Night's Dream' in college and didn't make it. So I guess I am getting my revenge some 50 years later.".

In the Faribault Daily news article Morrow will introduce "Smitten!" at its world premiere Friday night at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. That show and a matinee Saturday are sold out, but there will be limited rush tickets available at the door. Then the movie will be screened in Rome. You can see a full cast and crew list here.