Just Add Love

I think it could've been a good movie, the concept was a good idea. It starts harmlessly like any intentionally made to not offend Hallmark type shmaltz, but when the fake Italian with the totally over the top intentionally fake sounding unintentionally entirely overplayed camp went on way too long... and then didn't stop when it got a little too overdone, I had to turn it off! As an Italian America with many relatives who speak English with an Italian accent, I get the joke, but this guy was so bad at it and the joke went on way too long to the point it became offensive to my ears like finger nails on a chalk board.

This new offering of GAF is a snooze fest from beginning to end. April, played by Laura Mitchell, is a wanna-be healthy food blogger/cook. She makes one healthy brownie recipe that is popular on social media, and we are supposed to believe this has garnered her a cook book contract with a publishing company. The trouble is, all of her other recipes are failing with the test groups, so April jets off to Italy, for some inspiration.

She stays with her uncle, played by Scott Christopher, the one bright spot in the entire movie. She meets a tour guide, played by Brad Johnson, who seems much older than April. After losing the ridiculous fake Italian accent, we find out he is a chef in search of a kitchen to cook in.

The plot is boring, the dialog is boring, the acting is stiff, the premise unbelievable. The two lead characters have zero chemistry, they are more like uncle and niece and just don't work as a couple. The movie is a colossal waste of time, there isn't nearly enough screen time for Scott Christopher to save this drek.

I wasn't sure about this movie at first, but the bits that bugged me were actually plot lines rather than poor movie-making. Whilst the basic format is of course is typically unoriginal for this genre, there are some fresh details and modern incidents that bring something new. Whatever you think of the content, it is still worth watching for the scenery and I also prefer the relatively small casts of these covid-era productions - these two elements give the film a more laid back feel. Being set in the warmer months, it both celebrates summer and provides escapism from a cold winter, so great to view any time of year.

It's a shame that the film is not true to its roots so Much of it was filmed in Albanian that it marred the whole thing knowing that such a beautiful county is being used and not recognised for its stunning views. Please how can you use the UNESCO world heritage site of Berat passing it off as Tuscany However It's a good to the earth film,such a pleasure not to have to cover your ears because of offensive language it's heartwarming just like your mothers chicken soup it does exactly what expected, entertaining without shocking it's a wonderful film filmed in such a wonderful location just a shame they don't give adequate recognition to the area it's actually filmed in ALBANIAN.

I'll be brief.

The location this movie was filmed is in Albania or to be precise the city of Berat. It's an UNESCO protected place. And the scene from where the guy says "I am your tour guide" is filmed in an old neighbourhood in the city of Vlora ( Valona for the italians ) which was recently renovated. Most of the trailer has scenes from Berat and the one scene i mentioned is filmed in Vlora. I can't say much about the movie itself. I say this with complete confidence because i'm albanian and from Vlora.

Tuscany has a lot of beautiful places but if you can't afford to film there and film in Albania then you can't sell Albania as Tuscany.

Oh forgot to mention, licence plates are Albanian too. You can search online for the italian ones. I assure you that's not Italy at all.