This is a fabulous portrait of an ethnic family living in Australia, with its fair share of problems, secrets and taboos, tied to its ethnic background, culture and community within the framework of Australian society.
It is viewed through the eyes of the youngest member of the family, Josie Alibrandi (Pia Miranda) and the focus of the film is really on her. She is the binding force and this makes the film rely heavily on how convincingly she plays the role.
All the actors filled their roles beautifully in this film and with great conviction and lack of pretence, however, Pia Miranda's portrayal is so natural and unpretentious and so real that one comes out feeling as if she's the girl next door who you've known for a long time.
Indeed, in the end, you feel like you're looking at moments in the lives of your neighbours and where I live, in Fremantle, Western Australia (having a very large community of Italian Australians), that could well be.
It celebrates the people that make up Australian society as coming from varied backgrounds and cultures, although it is specific to the Italian community and interaction with Anglo-Saxon Australians.
The honesty of the film is very striking and very often, there is an odd feeling of looking at oneself and many things that one has done oneself. So in a way, people are often laughing at themselves or their own experiences throughout the movie.
There is never a dull or slow moment either and it is interspersed with very clever flashes to Josie's imaginings which give the audience an even better view into the character and her thoughts which are so typical of our own. The story is full of drama, sadness, humour and romance and the film is uncomplicated and very beautifully acted in all roles. I loved it!
It is viewed through the eyes of the youngest member of the family, Josie Alibrandi (Pia Miranda) and the focus of the film is really on her. She is the binding force and this makes the film rely heavily on how convincingly she plays the role.
All the actors filled their roles beautifully in this film and with great conviction and lack of pretence, however, Pia Miranda's portrayal is so natural and unpretentious and so real that one comes out feeling as if she's the girl next door who you've known for a long time.
Indeed, in the end, you feel like you're looking at moments in the lives of your neighbours and where I live, in Fremantle, Western Australia (having a very large community of Italian Australians), that could well be.
It celebrates the people that make up Australian society as coming from varied backgrounds and cultures, although it is specific to the Italian community and interaction with Anglo-Saxon Australians.
The honesty of the film is very striking and very often, there is an odd feeling of looking at oneself and many things that one has done oneself. So in a way, people are often laughing at themselves or their own experiences throughout the movie.
There is never a dull or slow moment either and it is interspersed with very clever flashes to Josie's imaginings which give the audience an even better view into the character and her thoughts which are so typical of our own. The story is full of drama, sadness, humour and romance and the film is uncomplicated and very beautifully acted in all roles. I loved it!