Love & Gelato

This movie had an opportunity to be really good. The chemistry between the characters didn't work. It kinda just moves along at a sluggish pace and never hits the mark. There were a few parts of the movie that were funny and I watched it till the end. I would give it an average at best.

The "love" portion of this film turns out to be self-love, valuable but not as romantic as I was hoping for. The backdrop of both Rome and Florence is spectacular and truly the best part of the film...the location cinematography.

This is the story of Lena Emerson, who was raised without a father in New York. Her single mother, who is her whole world, dies of cancer just as Lena is graduating from high school. Lena's mom made her promise to take the mother daughter trip to Italy for the Summer before college that they had planned. Lena's mom set up a few surprises for Lena on this trip...starting with her staying with her mom's best friend and her Italian godmother...who gives Lena her mother's journal from her time in Italy. She also is gifted her mom's camera and pushed out of her comfort zone...by just about everyone including to contradictory boys who she meets one a wealthy heir and the other an aspiring cook.

The bigger relationship is discovering herself and who her father is.

Again this was about self-love, the film was beautiful visually, but seemed choppy. I know this is based on a book, maybe there was a lot of material that they had to leave out? The film left me wanting. Howard was probably my favorite character along with Lena's crazy best friend Addie. Not a recommendation...unless you are craving some beautiful shots around Rome and Florence...although you might be able to find a better film for that, a few come to mind.

Didn't hate it, but didn't love it.

Take off glasses to turn ugly duckling to a swan - check!

Run in to a rich and handsome who is sort of a prick - check!

Run into a not rich warm heart and get tangled in love triangle - check!

People who have flashback and refuse to move on even after 20 years in the name of love - check!

A big mouthed friend who has no life of her own but to support the soggy and confused main lead - check!

A movie where none of the airline costs, airbnb costs, food costs, local expenses cost, luggage limitations, background touristy crowd, miscellaneous regular humanly things dont really apply to the main lead - check!

Finding the people by chance in trains and streets like its a coincidence - double check!!

Zero chemistry between the young leads, terrible lead actress, total snooze-fest, very forced. I couldn't get past the first 20 minutes.

An American in Italy is so cliché.

This is for young ones but it's also for those who were young once. It's light entertainment yet it drives home the point that your mom could be your best friend.

Susanna Skaggs as Lina is completely relatable. One could feel the emotions she's going through as she learns more about her mom and herself. Some scenes might feel cliche but it doesn't mean the film isn't worth your time.

Older people will find this film as enjoyable as they reminisce their young life with all its promise and disappointment.

Rome will always be romantic; and a cultural gem. Watching this film reminds me of a vibrant, pulsating city that I once called home.