A Very Venice Romance

If you are a lover or food and travel, this is the movie for you! The movie is mainly set in Venice and beautifully shot. It is easy to fall in love with the lead characters Amy and Marcello who have terrific chemistry. The strong ensemble cast puts the movie head and shoulders above the usual Hallmark romcom, and notably includes the highly acclaimed British actress, Francis Barber. The movie is like a warm hug on a cold day. It may not be action packed but it is nothing short of charming. The characters are genuine, likeable and compelling, and the acting is superb all round. The score is also unique in that it has orchestral soundscapes as sweeping as the drone shots - again not often seen in Hallmark movies of the week. Overall, this is a feel good movie worth the watch.

The views of Venice make this movie. As for the plot, it's a typically predicable Hallmark movie plot about two people who clash a little and then find their mural attraction too much to resist. The woman works for a business that adds supplements to prepared meals. The main chef quits so she needs to hire a new chef and decides on a terrific Italian chef. When he wasn't positive to her advances over the phone, she decided that she has to fly to Venice to see him in person to make her pitch. Little things bother me and this one had the female star in NYC in the afternoon calling the man who is in Venice. She says to her father "I have to call now because it's morning in Venice". NOT. Venice is 6 hours ahead of Eastern time so afternoon in NYC is nighttime in Venice, not morning.

Amy (Stephanie Leonidas) works for a food supplement company. They are trying to turn their non-tasty supplements into tasty meal kits. Their snotty French chef quits when Amy tries to brings up issues with the food. She has to find a new chef. She targets Italian chef Marcello Favero in Venice who promptly turns her down. She heads to Venice to convince him in person.

I love the exterior shots of Venice. There is some fine food porn. Everything else is less lovely. First, the story doesn't make sense unless he is the last chef on Earth. He is cute, but let's not be ridiculous. After he refuses so quickly, I would move on to the next person on the list. I would first make a list. Anyways, a famous name is more important in her case. There are ways around this problem. This movie isn't even trying.

I knew the general script, but it is a nice and kind movie. The scenery and cooking make me want to go back to beautiful Venice. The department of Venice tourism could not have done a better job. I am now inspired to cook these dishes. The movie could have been shorter. My wife and I love food movies. The scenes of the city remind me of our trip a few years ago. We would like to find the hotel in the movie. If you are looking for an action packed movie, this is not it. If you are looking for a free, cozy under a blanket movie, with your gog on your lap, then this could be your choice. I actually liked the characters and it is better than paying for 99% of the junk that is on Netflix.

I've been to Venice so, I was really keen on watching this movie. As luck would have it, the show aired tonight. The scenery of Venice is stunning and I enjoyed the cooking romantic angle. It was fun to see the Bridge of Sighs and St. Mark's Square, and the Murano glass blowing, though I wish they would have shown the inside of the Doge's palace as the great hall is stunning yet intimidating with it's wall-size paintings by Titian. So I was really wanting this to be a great movie. Just like one of my other favorities: A Christmas in Rome with Lacey Chabert and Samuel Paige. But somehow I found the two leads Amy (Stephanie Leonidas) and Marcello (Raniero Monaco Di Lapio) lacking the chemistry. Their interaction seemed stiff and any conversation seemed scripted. I have to say though, I hope to see Raniero in more movies, as he is a top grade "A" hunk. Like I said, the story angle is all about cooking, and it was nice to see that whole cooking school top chef sort of thing, but Italian style. And - we even get to see the culinary creations after each lesson. I liked the effort that the production crew put in to making this part believable, though they really need to tone down the background music, which at times was a tad cheesy with its obvious nod to all things Italy, but also very loud, often drowning out the dialogue. Good music is essential but not when it becomes the "star" of the show. Of course there is always a bit of drama and the big misunderstanding (or in this case a career-driven Amy chooses her job in NY over Amore in Italia). Overall it was a nice trip down memory lane and everyone will enjoy the magic of Venice as the backdrop. I recommend it as a pretty good romantic escape.