With so much attention at the movies focused lately on a tale of two cowboys, and trans-folk, it's appealing to know that there's a film out there about the "L" in LGBT. The Sundance Film Festival opened January 19th in Park City Utah. "Puccini for Beginners" is the lesbian-themed movie in the offerings. From After Ellen - Sundance 2006 Queer Film offerings by Shauna Swartz, December 6, 2005

What looks to be this years only bisexual woman/ lesbian-themed dramatic feature comes from writer/director Maria Maggenti (The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love). Her new film, Puccini for Beginners, focuses on a young Manhattanite who is on the rebound from a lesbian relationship when she takes up two new affairs, one with another woman, the other with a man. Described as a bisexual romantic farce, Puccini for Beginners stars Gretchen Mol, who has the title role in the upcoming The Notorious Life of Bettie Page, co-written by Guinevere Turner (The L Word, Go Fish). The film also stars Justin Kirk (Showtime's Weeds).

From The Sundance Film Guide:

Everyone is love-crazed in Maria Maggenti's delightfully quick-witted screwball comedy, Puccini for Beginners; but Allegra Castiglione our dashing, adorable heroine is by far the most commitment phobic. Her lesbian lover dumped her because she couldn't settle down and say "I love you." And just as she's drowning her sorrows in a giant slice of Camembert, in walks Philip, a dapper Columbia professor who, against her better judgment, lights her fire. Kicking and screaming, she launches an affair with heaven forbid a man! Meanwhile, she falls into bed with irresistibly gorgeous Grace, a recently single, straight woman, of all things. While juggling two romances that are advancing way too quickly for comfort, Allegra lands in hot water that boils over into an explosive, cathartic climax for all. Waltzing beyond the coming-out stories of a decade ago, Maggenti playfully ushers in a new era of lesbian cinema free from an ideological agenda. Here sexuality is fluid and unapologetic, while gender identity and politics are hotly debated and even poked fun at rather than narrowly defined. Smart, snappy dialogue and effortlessly charming performances by Elizabeth Reaser, Justin Kirk, and Gretchen Mol make this triangular tale soar. Like an accomplice, a glistening New York City operates as an enchanting cosmopolitan village, where chance meetings alter destinies and anything is possible.- Caroline Libresco

I'm so jealous. What a terrific way to spend a week in the middle of the winter than to hob-nob with the stars and see some stellar indie films.