Review: Made in Italy

A father and son fix their forgotten Italian villa and attempt to mend their broken relationship in the process.

Jack (Micheál Richardson) is going through a divorce and works at an art gallery owned by his soon to be ex-wife’s parents. Not wanting to lose anymore, he decides to buy the gallery. The problem is, Jack doesn’t have the money. He remembers his old family property left to him by his late mother, and figures selling it is the best way to get the cash. To make the sale, he needs the help of his father, Robert (Liam Neeson), who is a bohemian artist he’s always been at odds with. 

When the two arrive at the property in Italy, they realize they got their work cut out for them. Their once beautiful villa is falling apart and in need of major cleaning and repairs. Both lack the skills to fix the broken home and butt heads as they attempt the DIY project. While seeking help to fix up the villa, they both run into a slew of locals that come to their aid, including a gorgeous Italian chef named Natalia (Valeria Bilello), who catches Jack’s eye.

 Through fixing the home, Jack and Robert become closer and start to rebuild the relationship they lost. 

This is a gorgeous film, visually and story-wise. The Story of Jack and Robert is heartbreaking and real. Both men are seeking the others approval, and they don’t realize that until the end. Jack lacks the talent of an artist and feels like a disappointment to his father. So he throws himself into giving those blessed with that talent a chance to shine. Robert has lost his motivation and creativity since the death of his wife. He feels like he’s not good enough to be an artist or a dad.

Both have been depressed and haunted by the death of Jack’s mother and never let their real emotions show. As the movie progresses, secrets come out, and the two eventually let go of everything they’ve been holding in for so long. They become closer, learn how to deal with the loss, and start to heal.

As heavy as the subject matter is, there is also a lot of laughs throughout the film. There are a few hilarious moments while Robert and Jack are fixing the villa, including one with a ferret locked in a cabinet. The local townspeople also add a breath of fresh air to the story. Every person they meet has a colorful personality that you instantly connect with. 

Made in Italy is emotional, moving, and has a lot of heart. It’s a great story with excellent character development. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the tone the director set is subtle and steady. Every character was a joy to watch, and the relationships felt authentic. It’s just an all-around enjoyable film. To me, this is one of those rare finds that is a surprising delight to watch. 

Made in Italy is available on VOD August 7th.