Queen of Hearts (1989)

Instant Favorite.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I think this is one of the best films ever made. Ever since I first saw it back around 1990 I feel in love with it and have not altered my feelings towards it since. The film is narrated by Eddie 11 year boy. I love the way this is taken into account in the presentation for example the tent in the living room when his mum is giving birth to his sister. The performances in the film are wonderful. My favourites are the 2 grandparents. One a staunch Catholic who actually reminded of my own grandmother a bit who confesses other people's sins and not her own and the other a fascist who long since let go of religion and taken up the gun. My favourite bit in the whole film is the grandfather dies and goes to heaven. As he is running towards his mother he becomes a child again as recahes her arms. I could go on all day waxing lyrical about this film but I will stop now. Brilliant.

Although this is an English-Italian movie and made in English, this might as well be considered a "foreign film" to us in North America because it certainly has the feel of it. The dialog, the mood and actions of the people are like "foreign films" from France or Italy, not the normal fare of U.S., Canadian or British films.For me, that's fine as I enjoy the good storytelling and the fascinating photography.There is action in the first 10 minutes but not that much afterward. About halfway through this 112-minute film, it really begins to bog down, unfortunately. However, I still rate this movie with a decent number of stars almost strictly on the cinematography which is excellent, especially in that first half.Ian Hawkes, as the little boy, and Vittorio Duse (?) as his dad, are fun to watch. Storywise, I did not understand the card game near the end and did not agree with the ending where the "good guys" cheat to get their goods back. I just never subscribed to the message that "two wrongs make a right."I would like to this film again, and with a nice DVD transfer.

I was particularly impressed with the opening scene, and the surprising leap from the top of the arch by the lovers and more surprising appearance of a wagon loaded with hay. One of my favorite scenes was the arrival of grandfather to the family and his exuberant greeting to his grandson.

Ever since I saw this film in 1990 on PBS, I can not get it out of my mind. I am a Canadian of Italian descent and I related so much to this movie, I could not believe it. The interaction between all the family members, the true essence and spirit of being in an Italian family and the relationship between nonno and grand-son made me relate to mine with my grand-dad when growing up in Montreal, Canada. This movie is just wonderful and a great feel good one at that. I am still looking to buy it on video and can not find it. It truly is to be treasured !