Two Family House (2000)
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins
Theatrical Release: Oct 6, 2000 Limited
Synopsis: Set in the urban backwater of Staten Island in the 1950s, TWO FAMILY HOUSE tells the story of Buddy Visalo (Michael Rispoli), who dreams of singing stardom but is forced to face the struggles of an ordinary life. After his one shot at making the big time is nixed by his fiancée, Estelle (Katherine... Set in the urban backwater of Staten Island in the 1950s, TWO FAMILY HOUSE tells the story of Buddy Visalo (Michael Rispoli), who dreams of singing stardom but is forced to face the struggles of an ordinary life. After his one shot at making the big time is nixed by his fiancée, Estelle (Katherine Narducci), he tries to settle into married life, but he never manages to subdue his overarching ambition to be a star. Buddy launches a string of failed ventures before eventually pinning his hopes on a run-down house, where he plans to open a bar and be the star attraction. But between his wife's control-freak urges and his tenants' refusal to vacate the house, nothing goes as planned. However, in his campaign to evict the couple that rents from him--a pregnant young Irish beauty (Kelly Macdonald) and her abusive, drunk husband (Kevin Conway)--he finds the one sympathetic soul in his life. And again he is forced to choose between his sense of duty and his heart. Writer and director Raymond De Felitta (CAFÉ SOCIETY) approaches the story of TWO FAMILY HOUSE with humor and affection, wihout shying away from the uglier realities of working-class life. While the well-trodden film terrain of New York's Italian-American communities is a tough place to shine, both the director and the outstanding ensemble cast keep the broad strokes to a minimum, which is what propels this story beyond the confines of its small world. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Michael Rispoli, Kelly MacDonald, Katherine Narducci, Kevin Conway, Matt Servitto
Screenwriter: Raymond DeFelitta
Producer: Anne Harrison, Alan Klingenstein
Composer: Stephen Endelman
DVD Info
Release:
Jul 22, 2003
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
- Single Side - Single Layer
Audio:
- Dolby Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
It all comes off like a bad episode of The King of Queens, just moved to a different borough.
Michael Rispoli is so perfect in each and every scene that you can't even imagine him playing any other parts, much less somebody else playing his.
Full of honest moments, even if always told with a comedic flair, the film feels like a blend of a true story and a fairy tale.


Top Critic