Down-and-dirty musical love story set in the world of the working class. Nick is an ironworker who builds and repairs bridges. He's married to Kitty, a dressmaker, a strong and gentle woman with whom he has three daughters. He is carrying on a torrid affair with a redheaded woman named Tula. Nick is basically a good, hardworking man driven forward by will and blinded by his urges. Like Oedipus at Colonus, he is sent into exile and searches to find his way back through the damage he has done. Explores the cost and value of a relationship through life and death. When the characters can no longer express themselves with language, they break into song, lip-synching the tunes lodged in their subconscious. It is their way to escape the harsh reality of their world - to dream, to remember, and to connect to another human being.

During her last week of filming, Kate Winslet twisted her ankle while doing a dance sequence at a hotel suite with James Gandolfini.

Kitty Kane:
You two must think I'm the cucumber in the gardener's ass.

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Roe and the Greek Man are walking past Bo and Kitty in the Diner, the sound of the Greek man smacking Roe's bottom is sharply heard, yet we can clearly see his hand on Roe's waist the entire time.

Written by Barry Mason (as John Barry Mason), Daniele Pace, Mario Panzeri & Livraghi (as Roberto Livraghi)
Used by permission of Universal - On Backstreet Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Performed by Engelbert Humperdinck
Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises