Two things about this little-publicised movie caught my attention. First, after Liam Neeson's gallant appearance as Ra's Al Ghul, as well as a proliferation of other action characters, a change is welcome. Second, the charm of Italy also beckons, and in this I am recalling montages from Diane Lane's "Under the Tuscan sun" (2003).
Some relevant background information will be useful here. Playing father and son (both artisits) is real-life father-and-son pairing, Liam Neeson and Michael Richardson. As well, Neeson's wife (Richardson's mother) Natasha Richardson met a tragic death which is mirrored (only the death, not the surrounding circumstances) in the movie. She was, if you are not aware, the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave.
The plotline of "Made in Italy" is sketched within the first two minutes of the movie. Jack (Richardson) is getting a divorce which is devastating, but not in a way you might think. The divorce would mean parting with the in-law's art gallery he has been managing which, to him, is "my life". Salvation would be to buy the gallery off the in-laws. The only finance resource available would be to sell the family house in Tuscany or, more exactly, convince his father Robert (Neeson) to sell it. The rest of the movie e volves around this hopeless run-down house which has been left empty for 20 years. Jack hasn't seen the house since he was seven. The first half of the movie takes on a light tone (it is categorised as "comedy" on IMDb), with levity aplenty from trying to sell the house through a super-cool agent Kate (Linsay Duncan), who insists that she is plain "Kate" and never to be addressed as "Katie". Jack's fortune is simply too good to be true, in encountering divorced restaurant owner Natalie (Valeria Bilello) who has everything - looks, humour, tenderness, not be mention a way with cooking risotto or pasta that you would die for.
Critics point out that this movie is somewhat paint-by-number, which I do not dispute. At midpoint, the poignancy sets in but is never heavy. Everything is quite predictable. That however does not take anything away from the enjoyment of the ride, if you are not too demanding. Neesom is good to watch in this role which gives him room to deliver some measured emotions instead of jaw-cracking blows. Richardson holds his own. Bilello becomes an instant darling and stays that way throughout. Duncan is absolutely delightful.
Some relevant background information will be useful here. Playing father and son (both artisits) is real-life father-and-son pairing, Liam Neeson and Michael Richardson. As well, Neeson's wife (Richardson's mother) Natasha Richardson met a tragic death which is mirrored (only the death, not the surrounding circumstances) in the movie. She was, if you are not aware, the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave.
The plotline of "Made in Italy" is sketched within the first two minutes of the movie. Jack (Richardson) is getting a divorce which is devastating, but not in a way you might think. The divorce would mean parting with the in-law's art gallery he has been managing which, to him, is "my life". Salvation would be to buy the gallery off the in-laws. The only finance resource available would be to sell the family house in Tuscany or, more exactly, convince his father Robert (Neeson) to sell it. The rest of the movie e volves around this hopeless run-down house which has been left empty for 20 years. Jack hasn't seen the house since he was seven. The first half of the movie takes on a light tone (it is categorised as "comedy" on IMDb), with levity aplenty from trying to sell the house through a super-cool agent Kate (Linsay Duncan), who insists that she is plain "Kate" and never to be addressed as "Katie". Jack's fortune is simply too good to be true, in encountering divorced restaurant owner Natalie (Valeria Bilello) who has everything - looks, humour, tenderness, not be mention a way with cooking risotto or pasta that you would die for.
Critics point out that this movie is somewhat paint-by-number, which I do not dispute. At midpoint, the poignancy sets in but is never heavy. Everything is quite predictable. That however does not take anything away from the enjoyment of the ride, if you are not too demanding. Neesom is good to watch in this role which gives him room to deliver some measured emotions instead of jaw-cracking blows. Richardson holds his own. Bilello becomes an instant darling and stays that way throughout. Duncan is absolutely delightful.