Directed by:
James D'ArcyScreenplay:
James D'ArcyCinematography:
Mike EleyComposer:
Alex BelcherCast:
Liam Neeson, Micheál Richardson, Valeria Bilello, Lindsay Duncan, Marco Quaglia, Gian Marco Tavani, Helena AntonioPlots(1)
Made In Italy is a heart-warming father son story set in glorious Tuscany about bohemian London artist Robert, who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair… Renovations go badly, with father and son soon finding themselves at odds. Robert’s comical lack of DIY experience leads him to seek help from some colourful locals including the no nonsense Kate, an ex-pat making her living selling villas who quickly captures his attention. For Jack, the state of the house seems to mirror his search for memories of happier times with his mother. He soon falls for Natalia, a vivacious young Italian chef, who restores both body and soul with delights from her local trattoria – until the pair find their developing relationship in jeopardy from Natalia’s jealous and threatening ex-husband. As Robert and Jack painstakingly restore the villa to its previous glory, they also start to mend their relationship. The future may now look quite different and surprise them both. (IFC Films)
(more)Reviews (2)
The beautiful Tuscan scenery will certainly please many an eye, but it doesn't save this otherwise uninteresting picture, which is a pity, as the realistic basis of the story has some potential. I think what bothers me the most is that most of the scenes that are supposed to be touching don't feel the least bit emotional. I guess there is a bit of romance in this film, but, try all I could, I couldn't find comic moments here. (45%) ()
Made in Italy is a really nicely made film that mixes comic and dramatic elements in appropriate doses. In addition to the beautiful Italian setting and the Southern European atmosphere, the film offers decent performances, which, although somewhat mechanical in a few moments, are grounded for most of the running time, which is certainly helped by the fact that the two main characters are father and son off-screen. I have to admit that at times there was a higher concentration of onion in the cinema, especially in the scenes involving the mother, as I always pictured the tragically deceased Natasha Richardson at that moment. Even though the plot is rather bland with not much to surprise within the genre, it was nice to watch and I have to say that James D'Arcy managed to make his feature debut quite tidy. Plus points for a well written character with Lindsay Duncan's face and the small episodes with the ferret and the workers. A weaker four stars! ()