The Jermanok Brothers

The Jermanoks strive for and achieve a romantic comedy with humorous, fanciful plotting yet shaded by genuine tenderness and passion…Writers Jim and Stephen Jermanok intricately yet briskly bring Celia and Charlie together.
– Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

The movie has been directed from a screenplay by the brothers Jim and Steve Jermanok, whose freelance writing credits sound like homework for this story. Steve wrote the book “New England Seacoast Adventures,” and here the brothers create an emotional adventure for a down-and-out gambler and a Portuguese-American widow who sings of lost love and vows she will never marry again.
– Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Passionada is a charming and luxurious romantic interlude carefully constructed…and greatly enhanced by fresh dialogue.
– Rex Reed, New York Observer

There’s much to admire here, including an often witty script.
– Leslie Camhi, The Village Voice

The script from Boston-area brothers Jim and Steve Jermanok boasts trawlers, triple-deckers, street feasts, and casinos in a Like Water for Chocolate–style tale of two seemingly mismatched souls who find each other.
– Loren King, The Boston Phoenix

An engaging and similarly well conceived, directed and acted romantic drama.
– William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Screenwriters Jim and Stephen Jermanok employ the music, foods, and seafaring traditions of New Bedford’s Portuguese fishing community.
– Chuck Wilson, LA Weekly

Brothers Jim and Stephen Jermanok have created a wonderful script, beautifully directed and fantastically acted.
–  Sable Jak, Script Magazine

Give screenwriters Jim and Stephen Jermanok credit for pitching the pursuit above the usual level of goo.
– Hap Erstein, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Passionada

TWO THUMBS UP!
– Ebert & Roeper

Passionada could have been called “My Big Fat Portuguese Romance.”  It’s a gem.
– Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

The Reel Deal!  CHARMING & LUXURIOUSLY ROMANTIC!
-Rex Reed, The New York Observer

Passionada has the relaxing beauty of a great summer vacation.  You leave feeling recharged.
– Charles Taylor, Salon.com

**** Passionada accomplishes a lot with movie magic and with the kind of adult
romantic passion that is rarely found in today’s movies.
– Michael Janusonis, Providence Journal

Passionada is a lovely fable marked by strong performances and infused with glorious bursts of soulful Fado music.
– Lael Lowenstein, Variety

Among the film’s many charms is how its setting makes it feel like a European rather than an American movie.
– Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

A romantic story with ethnic flair.
– Marta Barber, The Miami Herald

Enticing!  Sassy, sensual and charismatic.
Sofia Milos is a revelation.  Jason Isaacs is charming.
– Stephen Farber, Movieline

Romantic…A rare kind of film.
– Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

**** This film is a romance with all the trappings of a great European film, but with true Americana flavor.
– Mike Szymanski, Tribune Media

A real find. Passionada tops “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
– Joe Baltake, The Sacramento Bee