Tarantella

Diana Di Sorella is a photographer who returns to her working-class Italian neighborhood in the wake of her estranged immigrant mother's untimely death. "A stranger with an Italian last name," she learns to embrace her heritage after a family friend translates for Diana her mother's "Libro di Casa," a scrapbook of traditional recipes and biographical stories, which, in a whimsical touch of magic realism, are dramatized with traditional Italian puppets. Obviously a heartfelt and personal project for director and co-writer Helen De Michiel, but it plays with the earnestness and obviousness of an After School Special. It is, on the other hand, suitable for family viewing and its universal story about heritage and assimilation should resonate with the children of immigrants. Of further note, and most likely why this 1995 production at last received distribution (albeit straight to video) is that it marks the first starring role for Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino. As such it is the career curiosity that is rarely included on star bios, but makes for intriguing video discoveries. A strong optional purchase. (K. Lee Benson)