The film is the portrayal of a time when radio definitely was the electronic medium number 1, for the lack of competition. It is set in a seaside suburban town on Long Island in the 1940's and represents the memories of a young Jewish schoolboy, a great radio fan, who lives in a big house with many relatives that cannot afford to move out.
In many of the loosely connected episodes, radio programs become part of the story. In this way the movie allows us to experience some true radio moments like Orson Wells panic creating radio drama The War of the Worlds or the announcement of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Quite funny when Mia Farrow is wondering who this Pearl Harbour may be.
All together it is quite a feel-good movie from the good old times but fortunately still far off an idyllic homeland film. One of those mysterious pieces of art that definitely work despite the fact that nothing much happens. Anyway, one mystery is resolved: the profession of the schoolboy's father, which for some strange reason is concealed to the boy, is most likely to be taxi driver. :)
In many of the loosely connected episodes, radio programs become part of the story. In this way the movie allows us to experience some true radio moments like Orson Wells panic creating radio drama The War of the Worlds or the announcement of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Quite funny when Mia Farrow is wondering who this Pearl Harbour may be.
All together it is quite a feel-good movie from the good old times but fortunately still far off an idyllic homeland film. One of those mysterious pieces of art that definitely work despite the fact that nothing much happens. Anyway, one mystery is resolved: the profession of the schoolboy's father, which for some strange reason is concealed to the boy, is most likely to be taxi driver. :)