Michael Neumann The fate and fortunes of an Italian family living in England survive many dramatic changes, beginning when the father takes the advice of a talking pig's head on a platter and strikes it rich at a card game. Fans of the British TV cult miniseries 'The Singing Detective' might know (to some degree at least) what to expect from director Jon Amiel's oddball follow-up: an often fantastic but always engaging fable full of magic and mischief, lucky charms and bad omens, rivalries, vendettas, wild coincidences, and eccentric characters. It opens like the last act of some grand Italian opera, but can't hope to sustain the same level of energy and invention all the way to the final credits. There's a false climax involving a magic box which makes the actual conclusion seem almost an afterthought, but elsewhere it's a lively, compassionate, unpredictable film, and unlike Amiel's previous film no one suffers any horrible skin diseases.

ccthemovieman-1 Although this is an English-Italian movie and made in English, this might as well be considered a "foreign film" to us in North America because it certainly has the feel of it. The dialog, the mood and actions of the people are like "foreign films" from France or Italy, not the normal fare of U.S., Canadian or British films.For me, that's fine as I enjoy the good storytelling and the fascinating photography.There is action in the first 10 minutes but not that much afterward. About halfway through this 112-minute film, it really begins to bog down, unfortunately. However, I still rate this movie with a decent number of stars almost strictly on the cinematography which is excellent, especially in that first half.Ian Hawkes, as the little boy, and Vittorio Duse (?) as his dad, are fun to watch. Storywise, I did not understand the card game near the end and did not agree with the ending where the "good guys" cheat to get their goods back. I just never subscribed to the message that "two wrongs make a right."I would like to this film again, and with a nice DVD transfer.

maxjones I was particularly impressed with the opening scene, and the surprising leap from the top of the arch by the lovers and more surprising appearance of a wagon loaded with hay. One of my favorite scenes was the arrival of grandfather to the family and his exuberant greeting to his grandson.

josie-15 Ever since I saw this film in 1990 on PBS, I can not get it out of my mind. I am a Canadian of Italian descent and I related so much to this movie, I could not believe it. The interaction between all the family members, the true essence and spirit of being in an Italian family and the relationship between nonno and grand-son made me relate to mine with my grand-dad when growing up in Montreal, Canada. This movie is just wonderful and a great feel good one at that. I am still looking to buy it on video and can not find it. It truly is to be treasured !