This is a wonderful film about families, growing up, and self-destruction.  I saw this when it came out and was again wowed at the elegance of its sentiments and execution, with great psychological realism.  It centers around a gifted young man, who is finding himself and getting ready to leave his first home.  The landscape and the culture of its inhabitants are also important themes - we see the beauty, the customs of the people in all its grace and  macho ugliness.