Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons

I love everything Italian. This delightful family comedy is sure to please. I especially loved the family scenes in the town of Lecce. A large family consisting of the grandmother, daughter, son, wife, three grandchildren, another son and his family all live in an old stone house. The two ladies who work in the household provide a lot of humor. The family seems to dine outdoors a lot and the dining scenes are delightful.

During one dinner grandson Tommaso plans to tell all. He wants to announce that he actually studied literature and not business. He wants to be a writer and he is gay. This is a very traditional family and he knows this will not be well received. Tommaso is hoping to get kicked out of the family pasta business so that he can go to Rome and be with his lover.

Before he gets a chance for the pronouncement his older brother Antonio announces he is gay and in love with a former employee who had been banished for being gay. The father kicks Antonio out of the family home and the business and promptly has a heart attack. He hides away in the house for a long time because he is afraid that everyone is talking and laughing about the situation. Loose Cannons refers to people wildly gossiping about the family situation.

Poor Tommaso is now unable to tell the truth and is forced to take over the large company.

It seems others in the family also have secrets. Throughout the story we learn little stories about the grandmother’s past. The film starts off with a scenario when she was younger. Throughout the film scenes from her past are woven into the story.

The single aunt also has her past stories. She had been in love and was forbidden to be with her man of choice. She drinks constantly and is seductive in a very funny way.

Tomasso’s friends from Rome come for a visit and try to act straight. Their clothes and mannerisms tell another story. There is a hilarious musical number with all the friends in tight bathing suits prancing around in the water.

The pasta company has taken on a new partner. The daughter of the partner is a very beautiful young lady. She drives wildly in her little red convertible. When we first meet her we witness her scratching a car with her keys. She gets back in her car and wildly drives away. She is obviously attracted to Tommaso. Tommaso and she spend a lot of time together and you keep wondering if they will become attached. At times he is confused about his relationship with his Roman lover and the beautiful Alba.

This is a story about a large extended family. Everybody has a story to tell and all wish to live a truthful life.

It is a comedy with serious overtones. The family scenes are absolutely delightful to watch .Each member of the family is fantastic in his/her role. I loved hearing the Italian but of course there are English sub titles.

You are taken on a real ride during the ending. It is clever and a lot of fun. When I left the theatre I heard someone saying,” That certainly was not a Hollywood film. It was so Italian.” I might add delightfully so.

What surprising delightfully entertaining film!