A Very Venice Romance

This romance from Hallmark is enjoyable for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is set in Venice (Italy), and it is great to see the architecture and the street scenes. Secondly, there is some very nice background music, adding to enjoyment of the scenery.

The story is not so extraordinary. A young woman goes to Venice to recruit a chef to curate a line of food products for her employer. Naturally, she "finds" herself in the Queen of the Adriatic while simultaneously finding love.

The two leads are very likable. Stephanie Leonidas is charming as Amy, the recruiter, and Raniero Monaco Di Lapio plays the chef, Marcello. I wouldn't say the romantic chemistry is off the charts, but they make a cute couple.

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.

Yet another storyline of a "strong" woman aka trying to get the man to do what she wants - for her company. Lots on here have outlined the story very well, but for me the storyline was irrelevant as Venice is my favourite city, so I revelled in the film shots. I couldn't understand why Frances Barber had to play an American, why not just employ an American. She could have just played a Brit ! Who would have cared ? I didn't think the storyline was that great but the food aspect was good. Continuity alert ! ...... in the final scene there was no indication of any luggage in the taxi to the airport !

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.