Buddy Visalo (Micahel Ripoli) is an average Italian-American living in Staten Island circa 1956. He lives the kind of life most people of that or any era live; one of quite desperation. But he is burdened a bit too; he works in a factory, lives with his nagging wife's family, hangs out with the same group of bigoted friends at the local bar and never questions any of it.

He has tried but failed to get many businesses up and running. But now that he has saved enough to buy an old run down house in the neighborhood he believes that he is on the right track. That is until he runs into a stubborn tenant and his wife who refuse to move from the house. And then, on the day Buddy gets his friends to help intimidate the tenant, the tenants wife – Mary (Kelly Macdonald) – gives birth. What's more the baby is black and in a 1956 Italian neighborhood that pretty much makes her a pariah.

From here the film – written and directed by Raymond DeFelitta – takes a rather intelligent and affecting turn. The rude tenant abruptly vacates but leaves behind Mary; who is stuck to take care of the baby by herself. Buddy is pressured by his wife Estelle (Katherine Narducci) to kick Mary out of the house. Buddy reluctantly agrees. But within a week – due to guilt – he finds a way to help Mary out secretly by paying for her own place.

Meanwhile Buddy works hard to convert the old house into a nice bar. But he still comes up against the criticisms of his very spiteful wife Estelle. In time Buddy begins to feel that Estelle wants him to fail. She rides him hard and never gives him any hope. So Buddy – in need of an understanding friend – goes to tell his tale or woe to Mary.

There is nothing particularly unique about Two Family House. You can see the plot visibly unfolding and there are no surprises. But the acting (especially by Michael Rispoli), the occassional good humor and honest emotion - along with the overriding theme - makes it an engaging film well worth watching.

The fact that the film is set in the 1950's makes it a more compelling drama; mainly because the 50's are known as being a wholesome era when tradition and family were central to America. This film shows that turning away from the ties that bind and becoming an individual are one way to achieve the American Dream.

Video:
The DVD is presented in anamorphic widescreen 1.85:1 and looks very good. The film has a soft nostalgic glow quality to it. And most of the colors have a muted pastel look. There is very little compression artifact and no edge enhancement that I could detect.

Audio:
Audio is in Dolby Surround English. The film has good period music but for the most part is dialogue driven.

Extras:
There are absolutely no extras. Only chapter selections.

Overall:
Two Family House is a fine film about the challenges of achieving the American Dream. Even though the film is rather predictable the acting is top notch as is the writing and directing. The DVD presentation is the bare minimum but it looks good.