Little Italy

Just because a movie is what people call "cliche", doesn't mean its inherently bad. While yes, there are aspects to this movie that are indeed cliche, it does not define Little Italy as a whole. Going into this movie I expected it to be romance focused and while that certainly is a highlight, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I laughed and found this movie to be genuinely funny and quirky. The two families and their relationships are crazy and chaotic, but I found them to be endearing and relatable in one way or another. So while I can't say this movie is the be all and end all of rom-coms, it was certainly worth the watch and doesn't deserve the bad ratings.

My wife and I watched this movie at home, on DVD from our public library. It is mostly a cute, lightweight romantic comedy. Although I had assumed the location was New York City it in fact is Toronto. I suppose lots of large cities have a "Little Italy" section.

Two families are in the pizza business together, a boy and girl from each family grow up together as best friends. As young adults she goes off to culinary school in London, where she becomes one of the young stars with the opportunity to start a new restaurant. He stays home, works in the pizza shop, and has an apartment above the local bar where he also works.

Meanwhile the two families had a big falling out, they now have two competing pizza shops next to each other, and generally do not associate with the other family. This creates additional interest when the two old grandparents start to have affection for each other.

Hayden Christensen is the boy, Leo Campo and Emma Roberts is the girl, Nikki Angioli. (In real life he is 10 years older than she.) When Nikki has to return home to change her visa from student to work she and Leo, after 5 years apart, rekindle their old friendship. And it looks like there is a lot more there.

All the actors are fine here, the director made "Mystic Pizza" all those years ago with Julia Roberts, plus others like "Miss Congeniality", so there is some of that sensibility in this movie. Some scenes were irritating, with the anger and yelling, some acting was over the top, but overall it is an entertaining little movie.

Here's the thing. By all standards this movie is terrible and you shouldn't watch it. When my boyfriend found out this was supposed to take place in Toronto's Little Italy, which is absolutely nothing like what is depicted in this movie and definitely does not have a ferris wheel, we knew this would be exactly the kind of hot garbage we like to hate-watch together. And hate-watch it we did.

I would guess that the writers had done no research beyond reading about Italian people on Wikipedia. The characters eat nothing but pizza the entire movie. They drink nothing but espresso the entire movie. They drop everything for impromptu soccer matches, grow basil on their roofs, and have cans of tomatoes literally everywhere. At one point somebody says "You can take the girl out of Little Italy, but you can't take Little Italy out of the girl," and that's both the best and worst line in the entire movie.

This is one of those films that's hard to review. I give it 5 stars not because of its quality, but because it's interesting and it provided entertainment. I loved making fun of this movie. Sometimes I can't sleep without white noise, and the last few nights my white noise of choice was this movie, and I had the most peaceful rest ever. I've felt compelled to rewatch it simply because it exists in an uncanny valley that is neither so-bad-its-good nor so-good-its-good. I give it five stars because that's what it deserves.

It is a predictable romantic comedy, following all the formulas there are. However, it is a fun, happy and cheerful film that lifts the viewers. It is an enjoyable romantic comedy

Rom-Com with predictable story, pre-determined by the title. Sweet story where love continues to bloom over time. Even if the families are at odds.

I enjoyed it, put a smile on my face.

Noticed the negative comments. Today, we are a beautiful evolving country (Canada) blend. Where were a mixed bag of stereotypes and off beat, not so much the norm.

Andrea Martin always brings a smile to my face. She is unique and beautiful as the first day I met her years ago on Bloor street in Toronto.

Thank you for a sweet movie. Much needed in these tough times. Love smiling.