Molto Bella

Andrea von Kampen's songs & performances create the soul of this film, and she and her co-lead Paul Peterson deftly let the story breathe and blossom. Ironically, my initial reaction was how it was unfortunate that the lead actress's singing had to be dubbed in. It took a minute to realize von Kampen is the real deal - singing, playing, and writing her own stuff - not at all a stand-in.

Gorgeous Italian backdrops frame the actors and color their conversations as they playfully tease their way towards a relationship. The poetry of the screenplay is lovely. I'd prefer an engaging little story like this one, bathed in music, scenery, and smart dialogue, to 1000 CGI blockbusters.

While on a late night flight home after visiting family, I scrolled through Delta's inflight film options really expecting to fall asleep halfway through whatever I picked. Having seen most of their offerings, I came upon this film with a short cast of names unknown to me and a budget of just $250,000 (yes I check IMDB before making a selection). I started to pass on it but then decided "why not?" The simple cast was perfect. They sparkled from the start: two artists (one a musician and the other a writer) seeking inspiration in a little town in Sicily where Michael Corleone got married.

The music is both meaningful and beautiful (think Joni Mitchell although Josie (von Kampen) suggests Dylan. The story is very believable, and told very simply. There are no chases, no shootouts, no spies, no superheroes, no magical special effects. There is just a simple story of life, love, and taking chances. Hopefully this can remind movie-makers that more is not necessarily better. Watch it, you'll be glad you did. And then go checkout all von Kampen's music.

A wonderful story of finding love, inspiration, and yourself, this is the kind of romance Hollywood used to make. Director Alexander Jeffery avoided making the usual paint-by-numbers romcom, and instead made an original film starring two talented newcomers in a beautiful location. The male lead (and co-writer of the film) is especially charming, and he's got a bright future ahead. The female lead has an effortless charm and some lovely songs, and their chemistry seems genuine. Do yourself a favor and check this film out, and you get the double win of supporting indie films and letting the market know these films are in demand.

My wife and I really loved this small lovely movie. The music, the poetry, the acting, the scenery. Pulls at the heartstrings. So nice to see a love begin in friendship and emotional/intellectual connection rather than sex. Some of the professional reviewers who gave it so-so ratings don't get it. Had to watch it a second time to catch more details and be certain of the ending. Thanks to those who created this. PS It only added to my pleasure, after reading about the movie, to learn that the key actors/producers were originally from Nebraska and became friends at the U if Nebraska. I was born and grew up in Nebraska before moving for college and my career. Perhaps it's a Nebraska thing. :)

I enjoyed the movie, a young man lands in the beautiful town of Taormina Italy and compliments a young lady on her music as she plays guitar and sings with a beautiful backdrop. He is a writer of poetry, she is a singer songwriter. They are both looking for inspiration, they both have secrets. They relate easy and well. Complications are looming. They are both enriched by each other. The end leads you to wonder or write your own conclusion, but there is a good hint. Not full of bad language, instead, good songs, and poetry, and chemistry. Both new actors, Paul Peterson is co-writer of the movie and lead actor. Andrea Von Kampen is the lead actress and is in fact a singer / songwriter introduced in this movie. I looked her up online and am now enjoying her music!