Our Italian Christmas Memories

This was a fair Christmas film that I had a little trouble watching.

My difficulties where threefold: first there was the lack of actual Italians or actors who looked and sounded Italian in a film that is literally called Our Italian Christmas Memories, second was the lack of Christmas in what is essentially a Christmas film...if it wasn't for the three wisemen popping up occasionally and the German tradition of finding the pickle on the tree...I wouldn't have known this was a Christmas movie at all and third I am growing weary of Hallmark's tireless agenda of dead parents, broken homes, lesbians and additionally in this film a Ukrainian doctor! It's a Christmas movie, can't the politics be set aside for some entertainment?

Now for the highlights of this film...Beau Bridges brought a lot of class to this film and even though he is quite definitely not Italian, I did feel that his portrayal of an individual suffering from dementia was a fairly good representation.

The story follows the eldest daughter in an Italian family who comes home to look after her grandfather (Nonno) while her mom takes a trip. Anna Collucia, is an adjunct college professor and she spends most of her time away from home, so it is a shock to her that her grandfather's dementia has progressed as much as it has. The younger sister and her partner have been taking care of the grandfather's farm (which seems to be a greenhouse) and she has resentment for her older sister and wants to sell the farm because it id too much for her to take care of. The younger brother is an insecure individual who has failed at a bunch of jobs, but thinks he has finally found what he wants to do...be a cook...but he is still so afraid of failure that he panics, makes mistakes and runs out on his job (I am not sure what profession that behavior is acceptable in, in real life). Anna, thanks to her Nonno's doctor, decides to try and recreate her grandmother's sugo (or sauce) to help stimulate her grandfather's mind...so she spends most of the movie looking for the recipe or asking people what they know about it.

Overall this was one of the sadder offerings for Christmas (2022) and if it wasn't for Beau Bridges...I might not recommend it at all, but my recommendation is not for romantics...but for people caring for aging parents and dealing with difficult family situations.

I went middle of the road with my rating because, honestly, I didn't finish watching to the end. I was drawn to the title "Our Italian Christmas Memories" because I come from a family that is Italian on my father's side.

First of all, the casting was disappointing to me. Most of the cast is not Italian and doesn't even look Italian. Most are Canadian. The late matriarch of the family floats in and out of an Italian accent.

Second, they pepper the few obligatory Italian words and phrases throughout the scenes: nonno, nonna, Buon Natale, sugo (which they pronounce incorrectly as "suko" the entire time).

Third, which I realize is essential to their plot, they contend that none of the children or grandchildren in the family wanted to learn how to cook. This is unheard of in Italian homes. Kids are brought into the kitchen very early and they are very excited to be taught how to cook and bake by their mothers, grandmothers, fathers, whoever might be teaching.

Fourth, the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve was barely mentioned. Of course, that was at least up to the point where I quit watching.

What really made my head explode was the CHRISTMAS PICKLE! That is a GERMAN tradition!! Not Italian!! Hallmark has even mentioned that being a German tradition before in their movie "Christmas Getaway."

I'm guessing whoever wrote, cast, directed, produced and acted in this movie has never spent any time around an Italian family at any time let alone Christmas. Very disappointing.

There is some good in this one, although the Alzheimer's angle is cheap and cliched. Bridges and Power are very good, actually almost excellent, although she makes some questionable hair and costume choices. There are the tiresome Hallmark broken family tropes. Hallmark never seems to hire a hair styling crew.

The diversity police must be happy, though. Every couple is mixed race, including the pregnant lesbians.

Perhaps Hallmark is reacting to the new competition from GFAC, with more recognizable actors and slightly more complicated production design, but there is not enough here to make it stand out.

Our Family/(Italian) Christmas Memories (2022) -

At last! This film was something different, it had some heart and feeling alongside the usual romance and with lots of Christmassy moments.

Despite the sadder side of it, I felt very warmed by Grandpa Vincent's journey.

Beau Bridges was actually very good in his role of the Grandpa, who was suffering with dementia and that made it so much easier to hope for a miracle at the end.

Overall, I would probably say that it was more Anna's (Sarah Power) story than about the romance between her and Markian Tarasiuk in the role of Greg. She came to understand things better and realised the importance of family, as well as what can be missed by not being around for them.

However, I could understand why Anna had stayed away so long, because everyone was quite horrible to her. Her sister Ella (Morgana Wyllie) in particular was a b!tch.

I did like this one, even though the romance was definitely secondary to Anna reconnecting with her Grandpa and the memory problems that he had. I would have liked it to be an extra ten minutes longer to show more of her connection with Greg, but it was still good.

Maybe not one to watch regularly perhaps, but not one to write off either.

6/10.

We all know Halmark holiday movies are meant to be fun lighthearted rom coms with a bit of temporary heartache/drama. Then they throw one at us that hits hard. Holly & Ivy was certainly one example.

As another reviewer mentioned, Beau Bridges absolutely nails it here. Early on, there's a scene in the kitchen with labels everywhere. Looked identical to my grandmother's home. She died from Alzheimers in 1988, and dad died in 2020. He died from cancer but suffered dementia, often severe. I am now showing early signs myself and this is terrifying.

So for Hallmark to make a movie which places light romance in the background and shines a light on real life difficulties and pain with a Christmas setting, they are to be applauded. Hallmark has the template in this movie for a Hall of Fame film, akin to A Dog Named Christmas.

Yes, the pickle ornament is German (I know personally) but families make traditions from things with varied backgrounds. Not something that should keep one from enjoying the movie. The characters RJ and Anna are relatable, imperfect adults whose stories weave into the greater storyline we'll.

Christmas time evolves for all of us, more so as you get older, lose parents, raise children to adults, and hold on to what is important best we can. It goes from magic to melancholy. This movie isn't heartbreaking. It's like a preview for people in their 20's - 30's as to what the future may hold.

The closing of the movie is wonderful, but do yourself a favor - watch the movie. It's a worthy two hours. Kudos to Beau Bridges for his portrayal of a man dealing with dementia. It's worthy of an award nomination.

Thank you for reading. I don't write many reviews but this was a personal one.