Star rating: ***
Dir: Daniele Luchetti
With: Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio

Daniele Luchetti's family epic has as many strands as a bowl of tagliatelle and is almost as satisfying. Based on the novel by Antonio Pennacchi, it traces the fortunes of siblings Accio (Elio Germano) and Manrico (Riccardo Scamaricio) against the backdrop of Italy's turbulent post-war times. The quarrelling brothers represent every divide going - Accio is gawky, intense, and an admirer of Il Duce; Manrico is handsome, laid back and a communist. Played initially for laughs, the tone of the film becomes darker as the political activism that once seemed a route to camaraderie (Accio even goes on fascist bus trips) turns violent and ugly. Germano is on engaging form as the little brother trying too hard to impress his dazzling sibling.

Luchetti, working from a screenplay by Sandro Petraglia and Stefano Rulli (responsible for the equally epic and somewhat similar The Best of Youth) handles the sprawling story well, but a few too many detours lend the film an overlong feel.