The Keys to the House

Deftly handling a delicate subject, this is a sensitively played and genuinely moving study of an absentee father's reconciliation with his disabled son. Inspired by Giuseppe Pontiggia's autobiographical novel, Born Twice, Italian director Gianni Amelio's life-affirming drama benefits from the joyful performance of teenager Andrea Rossi as the abandoned child. However, his naturalness sometimes contrasts sharply with the acting craft involved in Kim Rossi Stuart's otherwise admirable performance as the father coming to terms with his past actions and present responsibilities. Charlotte Rampling also excels as a devoted mother who offers Rossi Stuart some much-needed advice. Unfortunately, the film loses its way when it leaves the claustrophobic environs of the hospital where Rossi is being treated, and heads for Norway in search of his pen pal.