From Scratch

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.

I didn't have high expectations when I started watching this series, I was prepared to watch something light and carefree when the second episode hit me right in the heart. I completely fell in love with the characters, the story, the scenery, with everything. I found myself in tears while I don't ever cry at cinema or series anymore. The characters are very realistic and concerning the family relationships it's hard for someone not to find similarities with his own family. I haven't felt deeply moved by a story for a long long time and I am thankful of discovering this little precious diamond. Maybe Netflix has a lot more to give eventually.

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.

The acting was incredible - simply incredible - each and every actor in this show was amazing and brought so much depth to their characters. I binged the entire mini-series in a few nights, and by the last moment, I was ugly crying. I haven't cried this hard in a long time. This was a love story that shows you how to love, compromise, appreciate, respect, communicate. I loved the cultural nuances, the dreams that had to change, the realities of life, the complexities of families and choices. This is the best love story I have seen since 'The Notebook.' My husband isn't a fan of romantic movies; however, he was glued to the story as much as I was and appreciated it. It's a must watch.

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.