As a portrait of a father-son connection... it's quite moving.

Too much of the film lacks sufficient conflict and an organic sense of storytelling.

Those seeking a pleasantly expansive, somewhat old-school dose of laughter and tears — one not so distant from the director’s Oscar-winning “Belle Epoque” three decades ago — will enjoy this handsomely produced tale.

Played as an episodic collection of memories throughout his childhood, the big screen adaptation of Facionlince’s book won’t fully hit you until you least expect it.