User Reviews

The "love" portion of this film turns out to be self-love, valuable but not as romantic as I was hoping for. The backdrop of both Rome and Florence is spectacular and truly the best part of the film...the location cinematography.

This is the story of Lena Emerson, who was raised without a father in New York. Her single mother, who is her whole world, dies of cancer just as Lena is graduating from high school. Lena's mom made her promise to take the mother daughter trip to Italy for the Summer before college that they had planned. Lena's mom set up a few surprises for Lena on this trip...starting with her staying with her mom's best friend and her Italian godmother...who gives Lena her mother's journal from her time in Italy. She also is gifted her mom's camera and pushed out of her comfort zone...by just about everyone including to contradictory boys who she meets one a wealthy heir and the other an aspiring cook.

The bigger relationship is discovering herself and who her father is.

Again this was about self-love, the film was beautiful visually, but seemed choppy. I know this is based on a book, maybe there was a lot of material that they had to leave out? The film left me wanting. Howard was probably my favorite character along with Lena's crazy best friend Addie. Not a recommendation...unless you are craving some beautiful shots around Rome and Florence...although you might be able to find a better film for that, a few come to mind.

Didn't hate it, but didn't love it.

This movie had an opportunity to be really good. The chemistry between the characters didn't work. It kinda just moves along at a sluggish pace and never hits the mark. There were a few parts of the movie that were funny and I watched it till the end. I would give it an average at best.

The leading actress reminds me a lot of the actress in Emily goes to Paris. Not bad, but not ready for the big screen, needs a little more training in order to fully engage the audience. The cinematography was a big part of my reason for not turning it off after that ridiculous scene in the restaurant. The script was about a teen & could have been written by my granddaughter, who I was reminded of throughout the movie. But do I want to watch an hour & 1/2 of a high-strung teen? No. But the supporting cast - all of them - saved the show. I haven't read the book, but I do understand that producers & directors will change a book based on what they want. The only time I felt connected to the lead character however, was when she was in the gallery & actually acted normal. Normal may be boring, but it doesn't have to be if the actor can pull it off. This could be a nice series wirh a little work.

Take off glasses to turn ugly duckling to a swan - check!

Run in to a rich and handsome who is sort of a prick - check!

Run into a not rich warm heart and get tangled in love triangle - check!

People who have flashback and refuse to move on even after 20 years in the name of love - check!

A big mouthed friend who has no life of her own but to support the soggy and confused main lead - check!

A movie where none of the airline costs, airbnb costs, food costs, local expenses cost, luggage limitations, background touristy crowd, miscellaneous regular humanly things dont really apply to the main lead - check!

Finding the people by chance in trains and streets like its a coincidence - double check!!

Extremely predictable. Cute, kiddish, romantic somewhat. I felt the Lorenzo thing never properly ended. Atleast a final kiss could have made it better. I sort of want an Italian guy of my own after watching it 😂 Weird acting by all lead characters except maybe the god-mother. The movie would have been so much better if the acting was slightly better.

Sometimes I can't help wondering why some movies survives the script stage. It's not that i don't like a good romance flick, but unfortunately a vast majority sucks.

This one definitely does ! The characters are totally one dimensional and none of the actors seem to bother fleshing them out. Every twist and turn of the plot can be seen coming from miles away, and the most we get from this movie is some nice pictures of Rome, and that Italians are insane drivers.

We get some alleged love triangle between a smart rich guy and a nice not so rich guy, and there's some kind of mystery regarding who her father was, which might have been interesting if our leading girl was in any way interest worthy.

The script seems oddly fragmentary, and scenes just seem to be put in randomly. Waste of time.

I never read the book, so have nothing really to compare it to.

At first I thought it was going to be yet another Netflix bomb, of which there have been many of late.

The story is bittersweet, and the locations are truly amazing.

It's not going to win any major awards, but it was cute to watch with many tender moments.

Zero chemistry between the young leads, terrible lead actress, total snooze-fest, very forced. I couldn't get past the first 20 minutes.

An American in Italy is so cliché.

Some reviewers on here say it deviated quite a bit from the book. Well, I never read the book, but I enjoyed this film. It's a cute movie about a young girl discovering herself in Rome. I thought the story was a bit predictable, but sometimes that's okay. The acting was pretty good, the music was perfect, and the scenery...well...it's Italy for Pete's sake! What's not to like!

How did they manage to make a main character this unlikable?? I genuinely hate her with all my being. She's no fun, over dramatic about everything and awfully annoying. Honestly why don't Lorenzo and Alessandro end up together instead?

I expected this to be a B movie, but instead I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, you pretty much have an idea about what's going to happen in the end, but the journey to get there in this film was anything but boring. There is an Italian authenticity about it, as well as an interesting portrayal of what could happen to a "nerdy" girl who travels to Rome in search of the secrets kept by her mother. I have no complaints about the acting, the scenery is fantastic, and a tissue might be needed at the end. Well done.

This is for young ones but it's also for those who were young once. It's light entertainment yet it drives home the point that your mom could be your best friend.

Susanna Skaggs as Lina is completely relatable. One could feel the emotions she's going through as she learns more about her mom and herself. Some scenes might feel cliche but it doesn't mean the film isn't worth your time.

Older people will find this film as enjoyable as they reminisce their young life with all its promise and disappointment.

Rome will always be romantic; and a cultural gem. Watching this film reminds me of a vibrant, pulsating city that I once called home.

Please make it stop. The book was wonderful. It's a shame. I spent half the movie wishing the main character would just shut up already.

Not to mention most of the other characters were annoying and there was a lack of chemistry between the casting as well. The dialogue was awfu, the acting was mediocre.

Netflix should stop making book adaptations into flims.

The story is not even close to the book AT ALL!! They just took the characters and the plot about lina's dad and forced it into this whole different other story :( i love book love and gelato, but the movie is not good.

Wow I can't believe the crummy reviews on this movie. It was a good movie with good characters and a good plot. This isn't a movie that is going to be for everybody. Lina goes to Italy reluctantly and ends up liking it there and finding herself. I found this movie to be funny in some parts and an all around enjoyable one.

Terrible acting for the lead actress, she makes me want to puke. I mean, she was overacting, it was too much! Predictable storyline. I just watched it coz I was bored.. I'm at the part where she's drunk and asking for pastry. Maybe I'll continue watching in the next days, if I get bored again. I gave it a 3 for everyone's effort.

Its better than I expected, considering it's a Netflix original. It's better than other recent Netflix movies too (like A Perfect Pairing 👎🏼). If you like Italy, this movie will satisfy that craving. It's got some emotional scenes too. It ain't gonna win an award, but it's definitely not the worst.

Less then five minutes in and there's already someone insisting the main character take off her glasses so she'll be prettier 🙄 Just read the book and don't waste your time on this. Lina is a little annoying in the book but movie Lina is unbearable.

Best thing about this movie was the architecture depicted in the movie and gave all my stars to Saul Nanni who made it worth watching. If it weren't for his good looks and fun rebel attitude, I don't think I would have liked it at all. So thanks Saul and thanks to the great scenery. I don't think the main female lead found herself at all which turned out to be the theme of the movie - her friend had more of the right idea - let go and find your real self. The main lead was not even interested in going on the trip in the first place and was not even open to her opportunities she had been presented. What a waste.

Okay the book was amazing. But this???? Acting skills, zero. Storyline, awful. I have no idea what i just watched or why i wasted the time of my life watching this movie.

I had a lovely time watching this movie. An easy-going, happy time in Italy, following the characters on their journeys. It's about family and about growing and finding oneself. It's not a particulary deep or challenging movie, but gave my mind a welcome pause from my everyday life. If that's what you want, this movie may be for you. The characters aren't always believable, but there is definitely cute, heartfelt and beautiful moments. I also felt the Italian warmth of family and temper in the movie and hope to enjoy that in real life someday, alongside the amazing cuisine and landscape of the country. Gelato in Firenze would be good.