In despair of ever finding love, the insecure Angelo (Giovanni Ribisi) uses a photo of his handsome brother Gino (Adam Garcia) to convince a beautiful Italian girl across the sea to marry him. Gino's delighted for Angelo, but when he lays eyes on his brother's betrothed, it's love at first sight.
Touching and funny, sentimental and heart-warming, this is a magical, sweetly nostalgic journey about roots, family, sacrifice and the power of true love.
Special Agent Matti
Love's brother is a story about migrants/refugees from Mediterranean Europe finding a life for themselves in pre-multicultural Australia. You know, when Australia was still British and we still had the Keep Australia White policy (not that we're racist or anything).
As first generation migrants, Angelo and Gino retain their Italian accents but they are also vulnerable to the pressures of the dominant culture (ie Anglo). They are caught between the lives of their parents and the lives that will become their children's. Hence, Gino finds girlfriends who are second generation Italian or outright Anglo. The two boys crashing a local Anglo dance is a hoot.
With good Aussie acumen, happily ever after doesn't turn out in the way you expect it to when the film begins, although there are clues to the final scenes slipped in along the way. It's all good.
G
103 minutes (1:43 hours)
Film: 1 April 2004
