La strada di casa

I thoroughly enjoyed this very Italian crime thriller/family drama now streaming in the U.S. on Acorn TV under the title "Back Home."

Yes, the story is pretty hokey, involving amnesia, controlling macho males, vendettas and gangsters, forbidden relationships, and gosh knows what else. But it all works, somehow. It is set on a sumptuous agricultural estate near Turin and is infused with atmospheric photography and a musical score reminiscent of the late Ennio Morricone.

It all seemed very operatic to me - I almost thought the story could be adapted to an opera. The central character, Fausto, even looked like an Italian tenor. His name is no coincidence. The plot evolves from his selling his soul to the devil (i.e. some local crooks) to save his estate from bankruptcy.

It's all great fun and kept me bingeing through the twelve episodes. Acorn doesn't have season two yet, but I'll be watching it if it comes.