She tries to help him come to grips with his feelings, telling him that he shouldn't feel bad when he cries. You're supposed to cry. The film is narrated by her son as an adult, giving it an extra dose of realism. The film's lush score by Stephen Endelman matches perfectly the bright and happy primary colors of Michael Mayers's cinematography. The vintage automobiles are so overly perfect that they are like a running joke.
Every car is spotless and looks like it just left the dealer's showroom.
Staten Island in the 50s must have been free of birds and rain. Buddy screams at Estelle in lines reminiscent of Marlon Brando's famous ones. Buddy is an everyman character, whose big dreams may never come true, but realizing his smaller ones may prove just as satisfying. It is rated R for language and brief sexuality and would be fine for teenagers.