Pizza: A Love Story (2019) User Reviews

New Haven's Holy Trinity of Pizza!

[pisces31180 · 8/10 · 27 April 2019]

This documentary reviews where the best pizza in America, (and possibly the world), has had a long history in New Haven, Connecticut. Three old school pizzerias-Pepe's, Sally's and Modern each have strong rival fan bases and immense popularity in a city that was rooted with Italian immigrants and experienced devastating effects of urban renewal. Food critics, celebrities and fanatics discuss how they travel far to have this pizza. The rich history of each pizzeria are all connected to the Italian community of New Haven. The film will have you craving pizza and eager to try the pizzas to judge for yourself.

Justice for CT and Pizza!

[klkuts · 10/10 · 27 April 2019]

This documentary did a fabulous job of capturing both the heart of Connecticut and the value of three families who created food history. Definitely worth a watch!

A love story, indeed. I didn't want this doc to end!

[clcipriano · 10/10 · 4 November 2019]

"Pizza, A Love Story" is a documentary about pizza in New Haven -- specifically, the "Holy Trinity" of Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern. And I couldn't imagine a more fitting title. The love was clear (as well as contagious), and the storytelling was expert.

The doc is a perfect blend of facts, memories, and unapologetic opinions (often boastfully declared as fact, to be sure lol.) The personal stories bring you right into the hearts and souls of the families behind the pizzerias as well as all the local community members and celeb visitors who fervently declare their favorites. It's witty and whimsical and devout in its attention to detail, and if you know anything about New Haven or NH-style abeetz,, it's an extra treat to watch. I really didn't want it to end.

This documentary is a love letter -- to pizza, to a rich local history, to giving everything you've got to work that you love. Whether that's making pizza or making a movie about making pizza.

Spoiler alert! This film may make you want to drive to New Haven, eat great pizza, and in doing so ruin your ability to enjoy mediocre pies elsewhere.

[biggreentruckpizza · 9/10 · 31 January 2020]

This is a wonderful movie about pizza, specifically pizza in New Haven Ct, it's three famous pizzerias, their history, their fans, and their culture. It is full of lively interviews, many of which are with celebrities, archival photos and interior shots of the kitchens (and ovens) that have made these places famous. This is not a boring history lesson, nor is it a how make pizza video, it is an exploration by a pizza lover what makes this pizza so special, why do people love it so much, why do the fans do things like wait in line for two hours in the rain, where di it come from and why New Haven Ct? I never felt that the film dragged - it would seem that with such a seemingly limited focus - one dish in one city- it would be hard to make a feature length film but trust me, it is a subject that could be explored for hours and not get boring. There is a lot here for foodies and non foodies alike. It is a break from all the heavy documentaries, it is a glimpse into a world and culture that rewards even those who think they know it well, and rekindles the feeling that here is something special.

Apizza of America

[emilytitrud · 9/10 · 20 February 2020]

I loved this movie. The history and culture of New Haven is explored in an interesting way. Chicago style is basically a casserole. This film made me laugh out loud and incredibly hungry.

Pizza And So Much More

[vincedejoy · 10/10 · 17 February 2020]

One definition for symphony : Anything characterized by a harmonious combination of elements...New Haven "apizza" and this movie are a symphony separately and together. They also both ROCK!

talking heads mistake the US for the world

[hikarohiro · 5/10 · 5 October 2020]

When Americans talk about the world, they mean the west and the east coast of the USA. That's the reason they always win the World Series! This is a movie about talking heads repeat themself, how a pizza from Connecticut is the best pizza in the world! As an Italian I really became curious, most of these pies seemed overly burned to me, to maybe someday get the chance to try one of these best pizzas of the United States. The whole immigration story was really interesting though and could have been longer

A true, tasty delight!

[rsparago · 10/10 · 17 February 2020]

"Pizza, A Love Story" is a documentary not only of delicious pizza in New Haven, CT, it's a also the history about Italian immigration and how the pizza we love got its origin. You'll see famous people talk about their favorite spots of "the big three". You'll learn how pizza originally was a "poor man's food", and how it became the popular delicacy it is all over the world. The director does an outstanding job mixing in history and humor, all the while paying his homage to our favorite Italian treat.

Whether you live in CT, NY, NJ (we know there's great pizza in those states too) or anywhere in the US, do yourself a favor and see "Pizza, A Love Story". You may want to grab some pizza before or after the movie. I can't imagine you'd want anything else to eat.

Great Documentary On The Worlds Greatest Pizza

[earlymanfan · 10/10 · 29 September 2020]

If you're going to make a documentary about the most amazing pizza in the world it better be good. This documentary is as amazing as the pizza that it celebrates. Loved the airplane animation too!

Pizza - Food, But SO Much More Than Food

[dougray30 · 10/10 · 18 August 2020]

This well-crafted documentary is much more than the story of the "Holy Trinity" of New Haven pizza. It's a celebration of the social activity that sharing a pizza is (and was always meant to be). It's a reminder of how pizza was originally a low-cost, critical food source; a sort of "peasant food." It's a lesson on the history of pizza, and how without women and immigrants pizza as we know it would never exist. It's an examination of how ethnic neighborhoods in many cities have been ripped apart by city planners. And it's - as the title says - a love story, the love between pizza and the entire United States. Gorman Bechard hits a home run once again. And remember, it's CHARRED, not burned.

Don't try to tell me you know anything about pizza if you haven't seen this film.

We love New Haven apizza

[sentdata · 10/10 · 22 May 2020]

We just watched Pizza, a love story and when it comes out please see it! We did not take any pictures or video to support them in their effort to do small project films. But trust us, it's great!

Serious Pizza Talk

[masmp · 9/10 · 27 April 2019]

This documentary is an engaging look at New Haven pizza and an enjoyable musing on what makes authentic pizza so much better than most of the junk you can find in national chains. It will be particularly amusing and satisfying for those of us in the Northeast who have tasted the difference. The pizza makers are interesting, the testimonials are touching, and the pizza looks amazing. I learned a lot about one of my favorite subjects, pizza!

I'm so hungry!!!!

[bigjoshfan · 10/10 · 29 September 2020]

What a great doc about New Haven A'Pizza! So well done and loved the DVD extras. Highly recommend!

For the Love of Pizza 🍕

[shandi-19486 · 10/10 · 20 February 2020]

As a grandchild of New Haven Italian immigrants this movie was like a hug from Nonna. It was so fascinating to see the history of pizza in CT unfold. While the movie is uniquely New Haven it is a piece of American history as well. A celebration of the country's favorite food & a celebration of our rich history. Be ready to order some good pizza afterward!

The Truth!

[mocoprodco · 9/10 · 17 February 2020]

I saw this at the New Haven premiere at Yale. The filmmaker had extraordinary access and that always makes a big difference in a documentary. Extremely thorough and highlights the many characters in New Haven that fuel this food rivalry that matches any in the US (Geno's vs. Pat's in Philly, etc). The pies look amazing in this film. It provides great insight into why pizza is so popular in this country and why people get so emotionally involved in their favorite places. And I'm saying this as a nearly 60 year customer of Sally's.

A bunch of extra toppings.

[Hemi426 · 9/10 · 13 October 2020]

I was expecting exclusively a documentary about the three pizzerias themselves, but this film has a bunch of extra toppings included. The film also explores the immigration experience of many Italian and other immigrants who took factory jobs and how pizza was one of the foods they could reasonably afford (a tradition that remains for many college students). The film continues with the gentrification of slum neighborhoods through eminent domain and how pizza continued to unite the people displaced from their homes.

It is a must see.

A fantastic "slice" of New Haven history!

[rwarhall · 10/10 · 16 February 2020]

I was blown away by the research and attention to detail in this documentary! If you have been to the greatest pizza city in the world, New Haven, CT, for apizza, you will absolutely love this film.

New Haven equals Pizza Heaven and this Documentary Delivers !!

[buddha-59764 · 9/10 · 19 February 2020]

You would be hard pressed to travel far in New Haven County, Connecticut and not find a Pizza Parlor. As this wonderful Documentary tells us, the "Big Three" are located within just six blocks of each other and most every pizza connoisseur in the area favors one of them. The film covers much, from Italian immigration into New Haven in the early twentieth century, to the families that started these three iconic pizza eateries. We learn about them and along the way transition through the years to today's Pizza makers. Appearances by Henry Winkler, Lyle Lovett, Michael Bolton and others along with great commentary by area locals make this both a fun and informative work. In the end it's the great story telling by the films creators that brought this one home for me!

FYI; My personal favorite, Modern Pizza.

Pizza. History. Humor. Beauty.

[sgtscagct · 9/10 · 19 February 2020]

A fantastic story about how the small city of New Haven CT became the most famous pizza city in America. Celebrity cameos are fun, but the locals they talk to and the history they unearth is what makes this movie so interesting.

Engaging and well-researched

[apizza123 · 10/10 · 7 February 2020]

This movie provides a rare public service. It pieces together all the urban legends and tidbits that people bring up when talking about the best pizza in America--plus some things you may not have even considered--and based on solid research, tells the definitive version of the story of pizza in New Haven. Furthermore, it does all this while presenting everything in a fun and compelling manner. A film that speaks powerfully to New Haven locals and newcomers alike.

The Holy Trinity of Apizza

[roccof13-848-639431 · 9/10 · 3 October 2020]

Thank you for sharing the story of my life, growing up as an Italian-American and apizza aficionado in greater New Haven during the 60's through '90's. I loved how well you wove the history of the city and its citizens with the evolution of apizza and its influence on the community. The old photos and video were great - wish there was more and more interviews or clips from famous people who also had fond memories of the "Big Three".

Don't watch if you're hungry!!!

[djangiecproductions · 10/10 · 17 May 2020]

This doc is funny, charming, and delicious!!! We really didn't know about the New Haven apizza holy trinity. Now we can't wait to road trip!!!

More than just a pizza review!

[ja-43604 · 10/10 · 17 May 2020]

This was way more than a review of the finest a' pizza in the world! The movie chronicled the history behind the three leading pizza restaurants in New Haven (Sally's, Modern, and Pepe's). The movie cast focus on the immigration of Italians to America and how that came to bring pizza to the states. Plenty of celebrities are in this and each has their own story to tell. Very riveting, very fascinating. Not only left me wanting more but drooling for some of that New Haven pie.

The best apizza in the world!

[jeanniem-99013 · 9/10 · 19 February 2020]

The film was very informative about the history of apizza and the history of the "Big 3". It was very entertaining full of humor and facts. The only reason why I didn't give it 10 stars, is there was a bit too much of one certain senator. They could have gotten a wider variety of interviewees. It was terrific. I'd highly recommend seeing it, and then indulging in a New Haven APIZZA!

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll crave pizza afterwards! Fabulous!!

[dholman-53704 · 10/10 · 2 March 2020]

Not your typical dry documentary, Pizza, a Love Story relates the history of pizza and how three pizza "families" caused New Haven, Connecticut to become the Pizza Capital of the World (IMHO) You will surprised by the appearances of many well-known persons as they share their love for pizza. The soundtrack and humor sprinkled throughout make the 85 minutes fly by. Do not miss this! You'll never again think of pizza as just a cheap dinner after seeing this film.