Film shoot underway in Tampa with local director at helm

“The Throwback,” a comedic film starring Will Sasso and Justina Machado, went into production in Tampa this week.

The movie, according to a news release, is being directed by Tampa native Mario Garcia, who’s also credited as writer and producer. Sasso is known for roles in films including “The Three Stooges,” “Drop Dead Gorgeous” and “Happy Gilmore,” while Machado was part of the cast of the hit TV series “Six Feet Under” from 2001 to 2005.

Michael Alfieri and Doug Fox are also credited as producers of “The Throwback,” which tells the story of a married, middle-aged couple (Machado and Sasso) who are stuck in a midlife crisis. After being traumatized by witnessing a robbery at the local bank, the wife (Machado) suffers a post-traumatic breakdown, causing her to mentally regress to her 19-year-old self. With no memory of the past 26 years, she relives her party-girl days.

“The Throwback,” the release states, is billed as a heart-felt family comedy about learning to appreciate the gifts of getting older while never forgetting what it’s like to be young.

Garcia and Alfieri are both University of South Florida graduates, the release states, while Fox resides in Tampa with his wife and three children.