Independent Film Series: 'Nice Guy Johnny'

The premier film, “Nice Guy Johnny”, which was directed by Ed Burns and “made in 10 days by 5 guys for $25,000,” is one of three being planned for the first quarter of the year under the theme “Art and Commerce."

Two Arlington residents, Lance Greene, actor and producer, and Dave McLaughlin, writer and director, of the film “On Broadway,” are doing the programming for the series and will lead discussions after each film. For “Nice Guy Johnny,” the producer of the film, Michael Harrop, will travel from New York to take part in the post-movie discussion.

The film’s summary tells of protagonist Johnny Rizzo, who is about to trade his dream job in talk radio for some snooze-ville gig that’ll pay enough to please his fiancée. Into the situation comes Uncle Terry, a rascally womanizer set on turning a weekend in the Hamptons into an eye-opening fling for his nephew. At first, Johnny is not interested, but then he meets the lovely Brooke, who challenges him to make the toughest decision of his life. Burns’ previous films include “The Brothers McMullen,” and “She’s the One.”