Le Goût de vivre

First, all the negative reviews seemed to only watched one episode.

This is NOT a Hallmark movie, by any stretch of the imagination.

Complex, profound and with wonderful depth, this series is about the deeply moving love story between a man, a woman and their complex families.

And I have to say that I love the way the series handles culture, race, grief and spirituality.

It is a lovely series and not just because of the beautiful settings. It is a lovely story, full of heart.

The series is based on Tembi Locke's memoir by same name.

Zoe Saldaña shines. Eugenio Mastrandrea is more than charming, lending real emotional weight. The direction is solid. The cinematography is lush. All the performances ring true. And the music is perfection.

Reese Witherspoon is one of the Executive Producers, so you can be assured of its quality.

Highly recommend.

This movie, series, almost perfect! It had a beginning, a middle and an end. It actually makes you believe in true love. I loved Lino and Amy's "story". I love how their commitment and love for one another was able to solidify their families. I loved how they never wavered no matter what was thrown at them. Even when you were sitting up there watching, and maybe about to cry or crying or just feeling so devastated for the characters, because this movie made you feel everything, they found a way to lighten it up so you could breathe just a little. So you could smile and suck up some of those tears for just a little bit. Had the movie remembered all the pictures she took, and had some kind of homage to their story at the end, it would have been perfect. Nevertheless, a lovely story.

My first compliment is for the actors! Finally, a show that uses authentic foreign characters playing the foreign parts...perfect example are the couple that play Lino's parents. True Italians speaking southern Italian along with the with the mannerisms and sayings true to the region.... Having Italian parents myself, this so refreshing to see and hear this, so much better than using actors speaking with an exaggerated corny accent. On to the series itself, what a roller coaster of themes and emotions: laughs, tears, family and marriage drama, forgiveness, loss, reconnection, acceptance, romance, inter-racial relationships, heart break and devastation. It is a series I will recommend to others and think about for a long time to come.

Heart wrenching. Not what I expected. I absolutely loved it. The acting and the style was maybe lacking a bit in the first episodes, but oh my God. OMG. It became more and more real life with each episode. It kinda eased its way from cheesy love story to real life and real problems.

I loved all the Italian that was spoken. And the complex family dynamics.

Honestly I watched it in one sitting. All eight episodes until 5 in the morning. I couldn't stop.

I have no personal history with the specific themes displayed but it managed to open me up to some deep layers of sorrow stored deep down. It was almost cathartic for me to watch. I cried my eyes out. Both personal tears and tears for the story. For me it had the right mix of sweet love and real life.

Only complaint is how dark the story actually was. My positive and romantic heart hoped for a more Disney-like ending.

Wrapped in life stories merged in love, tradition, hope and pain there are unforgettable characters within this series that move a soul with every line, every facial expression, and every heartfelt embrace. I consider Music to be the main character pressing all others into my heart and mind. Then, of course, there is Zoe and Eugenio, the obvious lovers that live out their days testing the strength of that love. They certainly made and impression on me. But, perhaps, the characters that grabbed my attention the most while viewing the series was Kellita Smith-an actress who, in my opinion, has finally found a platform worthy of her comedic timing, and then there is the ever versatile, undeniably talented Danielle Deadwyler--an actress who often transforms herself into drastically different roles, where she could easily be nearly any and every black woman or black man who's dead or alive. Without pause, I'm always anchored in the natural talent and brilliant line delivery of Keith David and Judith Scott, and in this series their performances did just what I expected; they kept me grounded in all that's good. Topped off with the talented Paride and Lucia, and directed by a Nzingha Stewart, this series is full of character that will never die.