A Greek Recipe for Romance

Last week I enjoyed, "Savoring Paris" and this week's movie in the series, "Passport to Love" was another enjoyable movie.

Although I haven't traveled yet to Greece, the scenery, the food, and the people reminded me of my favorite Greek restaurants over the years. The people are gracious hosts and the food is amazingly delicious. The movie captured the culture that we have experienced in Greek restaurants in the U. S. The leads in this movie were believable. I am thoroughly enjoying seeing the scenery in these Passport films. The conversations that the main characters have seem honest and believable.

Thank you, Hallmark for bringing differing world cultures to us in the U. S. I hope we can travel to Greece someday, but until then this movie has helped bring a bit of Greece to us.

I have always wanted to go to Greece & this gave me a beautiful, albeit brief, glance at the beautiful country, customs, & culture.

Unfortunately, that's about it. I could barely get past the actress who plays the mom's stiff acting (& how many times can you say, "YANNI"!?) or the fact that the makeup artist made the lead actress' face an entirely different color than her body. The ancillary characters were annoying as well, except for the mom's boyfriend who was fine & sweet.

The lead actor is beyond attractive & a decent performer, so I wouldn't mind seeing him again in some movies. The end.

6.9 stars.

What makes this film stand out? That's the question, considering how many seem interchangeable, particularly those set in Italy, Greece, and France-the romantic Mediterranean countries blending Western and Near Eastern cultures. These movies typically share common elements: food, music, culture, an American protagonist, and a charming foreign love interest. While you can mix these ingredients differently, the films in this collection often feel too alike to offer a unique or captivating experience beyond their familiar entertainment value. It lacks the excitement or novelty to truly refresh. I crave something more daring-not Spain, Italy, Greece, or Paris, nor some fictional Anglo-inspired realm. How about the Middle East, or even Turkey? Imagine sending one of our beloved Hallmark stars to Constantinople or a similarly exotic locale. It's time to embrace a bold change and explore new horizons.

This storyline feels all too familiar-a tale of an American woman in Greece who encounters a somewhat aloof billionaire's son, determined to conceal his privileged background. Intrigued by him, she discovers he's an exceptional Greek cuisine chef, making him the ideal partner to launch a restaurant and boost her career. Yet, his reluctance to reveal his secrets and adapt to the challenges of restaurant ownership presents obstacles. Meanwhile, her character lacks depth beyond their discussions on food, taste, decor, and olive oil. While I appreciate the actress's charm, the lack of dramatic tension leaves this romance feeling unbalanced.

I don't know what it is about Hallmark movies set in Greece that always fall short. This one was a fail. The storyline didn't kill it for me, though there were odd spots. The chemistry was off between the main characters. Their snark was too much. The scenery was lovely, but I couldn't handle the horrible acting. Not everyone but her mom and his friend were tough to watch. It felt quite a bit like everyone was reading from cards. It was stiff and not enjoyable to listen to. I will say, though, that the food looked delicious and made me hungry, and the scenery was the only positive for me.

It is not a rewatch.

An easy story, not bad acting, food and Greece, a pink building and an antique amphiteatrum, the reconciliation father - son.

I admitt, for me , the last is one of the good points of film ( near the dance festival fragment or the surprise for Theo , visited in villa by Amy and her mom ).

No surprises, a lot of unrealism but the location ( in fact, the real main character ) just matters. If I do not know if real Danielle C. Ryan was the most inspired option for Amy, I liked, much, the work of Rafael Kariotakis and Argyris Gaganis. And, sure, the food .

In short, the so familiar romance. Nothing bad, in essence.