In 1950s Staten Island, an Italian man pursues his dreams of owning a bar. This is a charming, nostalgic comedy from writer-director De Felitta, who later scored a hit with the delightful "City Island." He's someone to keep an eye on, although he's only released three films in ten years. The three leads are excellent: Rispoli as the dreamer, Narducci as his close-minded wife, and Macdonald as an Irishwoman with a white drunkard husband and a black baby. The voice-over narration, while integral to the presentation, is perhaps a bit overdone, as is the ethnic stereotyping. However, the protagonist is likable and the story is engaging so it's easy to overlook any shortcomings.

This is a wonderful film, that deals with the challenges of ethnic stereotypes and the cultural biases that go with them. Stereotypes are a definite by-product of culture, yet for the most part, usually the worst expressions of a particular culture. In adhering to our birth culture we invariably absorb certain stereotypes, and biases, without even realizing it. People therefore become stereotypical to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon their independence of thought, and self-awareness. The less independent minded, or self aware we are, the more stereotypical we may become.Two Family House is a very well-crafted drama, involving interactions between, an Italian couple, an Irish couple, and an anonymous African American man. The chain of events triggered by their interaction, gives birth to a beautiful love story involving the Italian husband of one couple, and the Irish wife and her child, of the other. Challenged by events that pushes them to the limits of their respective cultural sensibilities, the film portrays how these individuals for various reasons, either succumb to, or transcend, the biases, they were born into. The beauty of the movie is that it shows that through tremendous effort and resolve, it's quite possible to break free of cultural stereotypes, and the irrational hate, that invariably goes with them.

A good story, very ethnic, in that new york/Staten island, working class kind of way, circa 1950s.I started watching this on HBO and sat through to the end. This is a story told by a narrator looking back on the unexpected events that lead up to his life. The characters are all very strong and believable, and you find yourself identifying with them, even if you didn't want to at first. Not a fast action flick, but easy to follow on a slow Sunday afternoon, which is what it was when i saw it. If you like nice narratives, gradual plot development, and sweet, unanticipated turns, this is a film to see.

"Two Family House" tells the story of a 1950's Staten Island man (Rispoli) who finds that the road from dreams to reality is paved with difficulty but leads to happiness. A cute little romantic comedy with a big heart, "TFH" makes some big points about the importance of being true to one's own conscience above all else as it spins its simple tale. Well received by critics, "TFH" is an enjoyable watch with a message for everyone mature enough for a mild R rating.