Rocklin Colorado 1925. A hard cold winter. Young Arturo Bandini loves his father Svevo his mother Maria and his brothers. Even though his bricklayer father wastes the little money he has in the Imperial Poolhall and his time with the rich American widow Hildegarde. Even though his beautiful and pious mother lets his father get away with that even if his little brother wets the bed. Arturo loves them all. He also loves to play baseball even though he has to wait until spring. And he also loves the movies ... and Rosa. But she doesn't love him ...