The sweet charm of Ruben Gomez is noticeable from his very first scene, singing a solo in the church choir conducted by priest Donald O'Connor who wants him to see a professional coach, something that his very manly father (Eddie Serra) is quite against. Boys in his small east coast town pelt him with snowballs, obviously out of jealousy, but grandma Morgana King is supportive of his dreams of being the next Mario Lanza.
The sentiment is overwhelming in this Christmas drama, and the realism of how he's treated is sadly realistic, not only for the early 1950's, but for decades as kids (particularly young boys) with a talent were teased and called brutal names. Serra isn't a bad guy, just caught up in being a macho Italian who believes hard work and bread on the table comes from calices on the hands.
This may lose points from some for being a bit saccharine or even assumptions of a message from the religious inspired script. What it's really about is fighting for the right to achieve a dream, especially when forces are against that. Perhaps because I had a similar experience growing up like this little boy I can relate to his sadness of his desire for greatness being threatened. Not a classic holiday film, but nostalgic and touching.
The sentiment is overwhelming in this Christmas drama, and the realism of how he's treated is sadly realistic, not only for the early 1950's, but for decades as kids (particularly young boys) with a talent were teased and called brutal names. Serra isn't a bad guy, just caught up in being a macho Italian who believes hard work and bread on the table comes from calices on the hands.
This may lose points from some for being a bit saccharine or even assumptions of a message from the religious inspired script. What it's really about is fighting for the right to achieve a dream, especially when forces are against that. Perhaps because I had a similar experience growing up like this little boy I can relate to his sadness of his desire for greatness being threatened. Not a classic holiday film, but nostalgic and touching.