LOVE'S BROTHER

Australia, 2003, 103 minutes, Colour.
Giovanni Ribisi, Adam Garcia, Amelia Warner, Sonia de Santis, Joe Petruzzi, Eleanor Bron, Barry Otto.
Directed by Jan Sardi.

Jan Sardi has been writing screenplays since the early 1980s. They have often had an Italian- Australian background like Moving Out and Street Hero. He also received great acclaim for his screenplay for Shine. Finally, he has moved into the directing role.

Love's Brother is unashamedly romantic, especially the almost final sequence of a kiss aboard a ship. (Seeing the film at a market screening, I was sure I heard some sniffling among the buyers!) It is also Sari’s tribute to the post-war Italian migrants who ventured to Australia, a strange land so unlike Italy, who banded together at first, suspicious of the locals (who frequently mocked them or were hostile), but who have become part of the ever-changing Australian population. The setting is country Victoria just outside Melbourne and Sardi captures the flavour of life in those days, the quiet town where you could ride a bicycle without fear of being hit, where the local picture show screened Demetrius and the Gladiators, where there were 'Australian dances' and where a family could import the first espresso machine into Australia. And the parish priest was part of the community, a friend, joining in festivities, hearing confessions but also bringing more than a dash of common sense into scrupulous lives.

The focus is on two brothers, one painfully shy, the other, the younger, straightforwardly outgoing and protective of his older brother. It was the time of arranged marriages with brokers finding young women willing to migrate from Italy.

Giovanni Ribisi (The Gift, Heaven, Lost in Translation, Boiler Room) is often a passive presence on screen, rather uncharismatic. Here he has a role which really suits him and he is very convincing as the shy Angelo. Adam Garcia (Boatmen, Coyote Ugly), on the other hand, has real outgoing charm. They bring to life the difficulties of the marriage brokering. They are well supported by Amelia Warner, charming as the imported bride, Eleanor Bron as the marriage arranger, Barry Otto as the parish priest and John Bluthal still pining after thirty years for Italy.

There is a pleasing gentleness about the film, a memoir of days that are long gone but which obviously still linger in the Italian-Australian? heritage.

1. The work of Jan Sardi, his film writing, his Italian background, his feel for Italians in Australia, memories of the 1950s?

2. The Victorian countryside settings, the 1950s, the town and the streets, the homes, the café and the espresso bar, riding bicycles through the town, the cars? Scenes of Melbourne, the wharves and ships leaving for Italy? The contrast with Italy, the village on the mountain, the homes, the water? The Italianate musical score?

3. The Italians in Australia, their sense of community, closed in on themselves, memories of Italy itself? Pepe and his regret of coming to this godforsaken country, thirty years, dreaming of going back? The sensation of the first espresso machine in Australia? The priest, the blessing of the machine? The Catholic sense, the church? The attitudes towards Australians - not mixing, the younger generation wanting to become Australian?

4. The traditional Australians, their non-acceptance of the Italians, at the dance? Gino and Connie and their wanting to become more Australian?

5. The gipsy painter, in the café, painting the wall, the boat, the ending - and his telling a story like the painting on the wall? Jan Sardi and his film like this?

6. The marriage situation for Italians, the men writing letters, the broker, the post-war situation in Italy, the need for brides to migrate? Photos, letters? Ceremonies in Italy? The possibility for mistakes, annulments?

7. Gino and Angelo and their family, migrating in the 50s, the deaths of their parents, four years in Australia, Angelo and his wanting to marry? The aunt and uncle taking them in, providing a home? The work in the vegetable gardens, on the tractors? Life at home, the family meals_?

8. The picture of the brothers, their age, Angelo as older? Gino as outgoing, Angelo as silent? The bullying at school, Gino protecting Angelo? The opening with Angelo, the letter, the returned photo, his sense of rejection, frustration, at the table and his moods? His being persuaded to try again, the letter to Rosetta, sending Gino's photo? Gino pushing the envelope into the letterbox?

9. The portrait of Angelo, his name meaning angel, his attempts to marry, silent, his religious sense, talking about sin, guilt and confession? The discussions with Gino, Gino and his sensitivity, sense of responsibility for caring for Angelo? Telling Connie that he could not marry before Angelo did? At the movies - and Sophia Loren in Boy on a Dolphin? At home, the receiving of Rosetta's acceptance, the beginnings of smiles? The preparations for her arrival? His growing anxiety, going to confession, the reaction of Father Alfredo? His finally telling Gino? At the wharf, meeting Rosetta, dealing with her reaction? The trip back to the town, the car? The apology? With Gino? His having to step back, in the room, listening to Gino and Rosetta talk, the diary? His coming out of himself, the discussions with Connie, going to see Demetrius and the Gladiators? Connie and her help, his decision for Gino, their driving to Melbourne, his marrying Connie?

10. Gino, straightforward, extroverted, the younger brother with responsibility, seeing him at work? His wanting to be Australian, with the girls, taking Connie to the pictures, kissing her at the river, the discussions about engagement? Their both wanting to be more Australian? The prospect of work on the Snowy River? His taking Angelo to the Australian dance, defying the locals? The preparation for Rosetta's arrival, his hearing the truth, reaction, watching out the window? His upset, talking bluntly to Rosetta? Talking with Connie, Connie's reaction? Going by mistake into the room, seeing Rosetta wearing his shirt? His dreams about her? The diary? Late for meals? Sulking, seeing Rosetta go? Going to Melbourne, getting on the boat, seeing her, the kiss on the ship? The marriage in Italy, the return to Australia and the baby?

11. Connie, her background story, the name of Garibaldi and Angelo telling her to be proud of being Italian? The glimpse of her parents? Her relationship with Gino, at the river, at the pictures? Her wondering whether he really loved her? The outing with Angelo, walking home, the kiss? The discussion about going to Melbourne, her driving fast? Marrying Angelo?

12. Rosetta, the boy rushing with the letter, her seeing the photo, saying yes, preparing for her trip? Her discussions with her grandmother? Starting the diary, telling her stories, the pressed flower? Falling in love with Gino? Her arrival, bewilderment? Meeting Angelo? The drive with Father Alfredo? The preparation for celebration in the town, the explanations? People thinking she would accept Angelo? Her going into Gino's room, trying on the shirt? The diary? The discussions with Gino, her decision to return, staying with the Sisters of Mercy, on the boat - and the final kiss? Marriage?

13. The family, the uncle and aunt, their concern about the boys, looking after them? The espresso machine and the blessing?

14. Pepe and the old Italians, Pepe wanting the first espresso cup, the nostalgia for Italy after thirty years, wanting the boat on the picture? The boat disappearing - returned to Italy? The celebration for Rosetta's arrival? The marriage?

15. Father Alfredo, part of the community, his personality, hearing confessions, his commonsense towards Angelo, with the cigarette, the celebrations, helping Rosetta?

16. Italy, the family, the grandmother and her care for Rosetta?

17. Australia, the traditional community, the Aussie style, the Italian migrants, their becoming exclusive, having to break through the boundaries, seeing themselves as exiles, a different culture? Beginning to mix?

18. The film of memories of the Italians who lived through this period?