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.

I think this is one of the best films ever made. Ever since I first saw it back around 1990 I feel in love with it and have not altered my feelings towards it since. The film is narrated by Eddie 11 year boy. I love the way this is taken into account in the presentation for example the tent in the living room when his mum is giving birth to his sister. The performances in the film are wonderful. My favourites are the 2 grandparents. One a staunch Catholic who actually reminded of my own grandmother a bit who confesses other people's sins and not her own and the other a fascist who long since let go of religion and taken up the gun. My favourite bit in the whole film is the grandfather dies and goes to heaven. As he is running towards his mother he becomes a child again as recahes her arms. I could go on all day waxing lyrical about this film but I will stop now. Brilliant.

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.

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 !