Made in Italy

I enjoyed this movie, I find nothing negative about it and don't understand the low and caustic reviews some gave. While it is not spectacular, it is better than most of the dark and supernatural stuff flooding the market. A little predictable, a little humor and a heart made for a pleasant watch.

As someone who loves Italy, Italian culture, speaks the language and always watches movies like this, I kind of expected more from it. It was indeed aesthetically pleasing, but the action was missing. I felt like the actors could've done it a bit better and the story could've had more added to it. But the shots of beautiful Tuscany and the house were more than enough for me. The relationship between father and son was not as much developed as I thought it would be, but it did make me cry in the end, with a nice conclusion. All in all, heartwarming and pleasant comedy/drama that you will enjoy, especially if you're dreaming of visiting or living in Tuscany!

Funny and genuine...

The movie is a combination a romance and a drama. The story between father and son who have grown apart due to them losing their wife/mother is the main story line. The underlying story line is the failed marriage of Jack which leads tom him having rethink his life and determine what he wants to do.

The storyline between Robert and Jack is the central story in which emphasizes that the loss of Raffaela has caused an emotional rift between Robert and Jack. Both still find it difficult to cope with this loss. In the movie the distance between the two is portrayed with much splendor.

There are great scenes in which the barrier slowly breaks into pieces. During these scenes the viewer sees the more serious acting skills of Liam Neeson (in contrast to 'Taken' franchise, etc). The growing bond between the two is brought about by both of them opening up about themselves to Natalia. She is in a way the liaison to them resolving their issues.

At the same the fact that Jack and Natalia are in more or less the same situation makes them bond all the more. This budding romance is the story line that keeps the narrative light and provides a backdrop to the distance between Jack and Robert.

The Italian joie de vivre gives the movie a light-hearted almost comical character. in one scene Natalia offers to buy the house for a number of bowls of risotto. The Italian relaxed way of living, the Tuscan idylle in the midst of wild untouched nature makes it all the more laid-back and sets the mood of taking life less serious.

All in all it is a very good romantic drama which embodies the real life dramas that many people face after losing a relative like a mother or wife.

I have only seen Neeson in action films so I was curious to see how he would fare in a comedy drama. It was nice to see him stretch a little bit in this film and having his son along his side was interesting to watch. Generally, I am not a fan of comedies, but I did enjoyed some of the very few lines and goofs that made me chuckled loudly. It's the onscreen relationship between father and son that I enjoyed the most. A decent 6 stars.

Occasionally funny movie about a damaged father-son relationship. It's very predictable though, even for me who is not normally good at predicting endings.