Love's Brother

I saw this movie at Cinema Paris at Fox Studios when I was in Sydney, Australia. Although the story has been done several times before, it is set amid a community of Italian immigrants in 1950's Australia, which makes it really unique.

Giovanni Ribisi (Angelo) is the only actor I was familiar with before this movie, but I have to say Adam Garcia (Gino) and Amelia Warner (Rosetta) steal the show. And they are both DROP DEAD gorgeous! Performance wise, I liked Sylvia de Santis (Connie) the best!

I loved how the characters evolve during the movie. Angelo seems to be weak and troubled emotionally, but turns out to be surprisingly robust. On the other hand, Gino, the more self-assured brother turns out to be quite vulnerable emotionally.

The music from Stephen Warbeck is wonderful. I especially liked the background music when Rosetta first sees the mural of Italy in the cafe. Andrew Lesnie's cinematography captures the beauty of both Italy and the Australian wilderness. And if these are the types of movies Jan Sardi continues to make, I want to see more.

You have to be a curmudgeon not to like this movie - it is so gentle and warm-hearted.

Forgive me for not being one of those cinema buffs who can articulate the many problems that they observe in films but I'm just a viewer who loves sweet films about interesting, human topics rather than the junk shoveled out by the big Hollywood studios. I was enchanted by this film and I love our film industry and the products of that industry.

Our films are so believable and human-centred as opposed to the make believe product from across the Pacific. I recently watched "To be and to Have" and was captivated by it's beauty and innocence-a documentary about a rural French teacher and his class of primary kids. I mention this fabulous film because it was a member of a genre of "slice of life" films like "Loves' Brother"-I was as captivated by this beautiful Australian as I had been by the beautiful French film.

I loved looking at fifties, rural small town life; I loved watching the difficulties of young foreign born people trying to overcome problems of distance and culture and I, as opposed to others, was completely taken by the huge difficulties of connecting. I know, in the dying years of last century, people who endured not dissimilar marriage situations. I thought the film was exceedingly sensitively worked and I have no complaints about the movie in any way.

If you enjoy the genre of human development then this fabulous little film is for you. Take it as it is-don't read your own values into a time and place far removed from today.

Love's Brother is full of charm, warmth and lots of coffee. Coincidently I was drinking an espresso in the cinema while watching this movie!

I really hope that the nationality of this film (Australian) doe not deter people away from it. I love and support our wonderful industry down here but as a video store manager I am seeing an increasing amount of people who read video covers and say "Oh, but it's Australian".

This movie works as an international movie. It's location is not of too much significance... it could have been set in Canada somewhere and it would not have mattered. Besides, there are no 'Ocker' Aussie accents in this movie anyway.

It's a movie about Brotherly love as well as it's differences. A story about tangled love and mistaken identity. And above all it's a story about Coffee!!.... nah not really... the coffee just provides an excellent means of comic relief, as the locals seem to need it like a car needs petrol.

At the risk of sounding cliche, Do Yourself a Favor and see this movie. It's a beautiful film that should proudly sit beside other classics like: Chocolat, Like Water for Chocolate, and Il Postino. It's likely to only have a limited Theatrical Release so rush out and catch it before it's too late... otherwise wait anxiously for the dvd.

I give it 8 out of 10.

My husband saw this movie several years ago while on a plane bound for Germany. He has been talking about it ever since and finally tracked it down (Amazon.com), so that he could share it with me. Here in the U.S., the DVD format for this particular movie doesn't work on our DVD players, but we were able to change the DVD region setting in Device Manager on our computer and watch the DVD via laptop (you can only change this setting 4 or 5 times). I am so glad he finally found this movie! It is a real gem - sweet, innocent, and truly entertaining. It is a feast for the eyes as well as the soul. Another reviewer mentioned that Australian movies seem to get a bad rap, often being overlooked. How unfortunate! We would be thrilled if Hollywood would increase production of this type of film. I know other movies written by Jan Sardi have been available here in the States. I don't know why this one is not. That is truly a shame; so many people here are missing a great movie. If you're addicted to big-action crash 'em up, shoot 'em up, sexually explicit, adolescent toilet humor type movies, then this one probably won't appeal to you. However, if, like us, you enjoy gentle, heartwarming upbeat story lines with beautiful cinematography, acting, scenery and music, then be sure to watch this movie. It may even be "il destino"!

i quite please to see the actor in Boot men appear in this movie. hope he gonna become a good one soon.

the movie is nice. picture, light, music. i find it a bit harsh when reading someone say the dialogues are not good. i think it is really nice. what do we expect from a girl of country with little education? she has beautiful mind. that is more than enough.

the two brother relationship can be more deeper. but with the view of country, easy and peaceful, i do not think it necessary.

the story is good too. though i think a bit short and maybe go for an easy ending.

but overall this movie is worth seeing and bring me nice entertainment for the weekend.