A Greek Recipe for Romance

This Hallmark romance takes us to Greece, where an American, Abby (Danielle C. Ryan), goes to visit her mother. While there, she meets Theo (Rafael Kariotakis), who wants to establish a new restaurant in the space his mother used to operate. Though his father has other plans for Theo, the young chef is encouraged by Abby, who becomes his partner. Still, Abby has plans to return to the U. S. after a few weeks.

This film is infused with Greek culture and sights, making for enjoyable visuals. And the Mediterranean food looks delicious. On the other hand, the central relationship appears more platonic than romantic, though Ryan does her best to signal an infatuation.

In the end, there are few surprises. Things work out as expected. And there are no nagging conversations about work visas or such.

This movie is set in Greece so the visual scenery is nice, and the young male actor (Rafael Kariotakis) is hot! The young Greek, Theo, has big dreams for his life that are far different than the life his father wants him to pursue. Theo meets Abby who is on vacation from America but is also looking for a new job. She helps Theo as they encounter various trials along the way. Unfortunately, the plot tends to drag and becomes far too predictable. I find Abby's character to be somewhat immature in the relationship for someone that is supposed to be a whiz at problem solving. It's difficult to determine where this relationship is actually leading perhaps a little more focus in this area of the storyline would have prevented the story from dragging. It's not a bad movie, but the plot needed "something" extra.

The Passport to Love films this year have been very good - I always say that an on-location Hallmark is better than those where Canadian cities are standing in for more exotic locales - and "A Greek Recipe for Romance" is definitely not the exception to that rule.

Whilst the trope that propels this boy-meets-girl movie isn't exactly an original one, and you know exactly how it is going to end, the stunning Greek scenery and the sparkling performance by Danielle C. Ryan as American Abby, more than makes up for the bland storyline. If Ryan's effort here is anything to go by, Hallmark movies are in safe hands.

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.