Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

protek22 This is a wonderful film, that deals with the challenges of ethnic stereotypes and the cultural biases that go with them. Stereotypes are a definite by-product of culture, yet for the most part, usually the worst expressions of a particular culture. In adhering to our birth culture we invariably absorb certain stereotypes, and biases, without even realizing it. People therefore become stereotypical to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon their independence of thought, and self-awareness. The less independent minded, or self aware we are, the more stereotypical we may become.Two Family House is a very well-crafted drama, involving interactions between, an Italian couple, an Irish couple, and an anonymous African American man. The chain of events triggered by their interaction, gives birth to a beautiful love story involving the Italian husband of one couple, and the Irish wife and her child, of the other. Challenged by events that pushes them to the limits of their respective cultural sensibilities, the film portrays how these individuals for various reasons, either succumb to, or transcend, the biases, they were born into. The beauty of the movie is that it shows that through tremendous effort and resolve, it's quite possible to break free of cultural stereotypes, and the irrational hate, that invariably goes with them.

dwacon-2 I found this film by accident while programming my TIVO. The official description of the film didn't really relate with the story was all about.This is fine however, as we don't want to spoil the wonderfully conceived character-based plot. The growth of the characters, and the realizations that they make in the third act, is stellar.Overall, this film is a wonderful character piece that gives a glimpse of racial attitudes in the 1950's in New York (that don't seem so different from the attitudes in the 2000's).The acting was superb and the pace of the plot was crisp. I highly recommend adding this to your TIVO play list.As closing credits rolled, I thought that this is what an award-winning screenplay feels like -- and sadly that doesn't always translate into commercial success.

Paul Creeden I have heard a lot about this film. I remember it screening in our local "art" outlet. I remember it getting some notice in the award ceremonies of its time. What is this all about? I found the film genuinely offensive on two levels. First, the sentimentalization of the period with soft lighting and chummy relationships among the segregated gender groups, a la Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, was preposterous. It was preposterous when it was on TV too. "The Honeymooners" was always a more accurate portrayal of life in the 50's. Along with this insult to the intelligence of someone who actually lived in the 50's among the working immigrant classes in multifamily housing, I was subjected to the blatant class-conscious condescension of the writer, whom I see riding through L.A. in a white convertible German car. I found the film's handling of racism quite accurate. However, the message was made lame by the bumbling messenger. I think the people who made this film should get out more and talk to the people they are trying to portray, up close and personal.

wildgoose77 I enjoyed this film overall. The cast turns in some outstanding performances, without a doubt the film's greatest strength. My problems with the film had more to do with the argument being made. Buddy Visalo, an Italian-American man with an entrepreneurial fire burning in his soul, just can't seem to make any of his business ventures pan out. Complicating matters is his wife, Estelle, who wants him to cease these hair-brained schemes and get a good, dependable job that will support a nice house and a family. So you have an otherwise happy couple who just can't give each other what they need most in life. She needs a husband who can be a dependable provider, he needs a wife who will always believe in him and support his goals. The film is clearly sympathetic to the goal-oriented male, expounding the virtues of always striving for success and never giving up no matter how crazy your idea may seem to others. I left the theatre wondering how the story would have panned out if it had been directed by a woman, or for that matter, a mother.Grade: B