Fairly watchable story about a shoe designer. She starts a romance with a chef but while on a trip to Italy she almost finds romance there too. It's interesting to see them make shoes. The scenery is pretty but the lead actress Kelen Coleman and her beaus are not quite appealing enough for a romance movie. Jacqueline Bisset as grandma is nice to watch an actress her age who hasn't done plastic surgery. Her Italian accent is a little hard to swallow.
5 Reviews
Doesn't make sense
kategobe4 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I usually love these kind of easy to watch romance movies; the kind you can just sit back and forget about the negativity in the world, the kind that just feel like a happy hug. This one unfortunately fell short.
The story just doesn't make sense. The woman falls in love with a great guy and even though it's extremely rushed, it does seem genuine. Then she goes to Italy. When her man is unable to join her, this somehow means they're not right for each other. The other guy she meets is in the same situation as her, the talented kid that's gonna take over from their aging grandparent/parent. A relationship between her and the Italian obviously means one of them will have to give up on their legacy and life's work to be together, as their businesses are on different continents. But somehow, she decides that this guy is better 'cause he works in the same industry?
At the end, Gram get married on what looks like the rooftop. This seems quite unlikely because she's an Italian grandmother from a family that prays before meals. Well folks, Italian catholic grandmothers get married in a church, not some place outside. This is because getting married is something catholics, especially European catholics, do in a house of God because it's sacred. This just adds to the highly unrealistic vibe. The whole story just kinda comes across as a work by a young teenage girl, imagining some fantasy romance.
To topping it all off, the female lead just feels off. I don't know what it is but they're something that impedes the chemistry between her and the others, she seems distant. The grandmother and the two guys did a great job but the whole movie is about the girl so her performance is vital to the success of the movie.
The story just doesn't make sense. The woman falls in love with a great guy and even though it's extremely rushed, it does seem genuine. Then she goes to Italy. When her man is unable to join her, this somehow means they're not right for each other. The other guy she meets is in the same situation as her, the talented kid that's gonna take over from their aging grandparent/parent. A relationship between her and the Italian obviously means one of them will have to give up on their legacy and life's work to be together, as their businesses are on different continents. But somehow, she decides that this guy is better 'cause he works in the same industry?
At the end, Gram get married on what looks like the rooftop. This seems quite unlikely because she's an Italian grandmother from a family that prays before meals. Well folks, Italian catholic grandmothers get married in a church, not some place outside. This is because getting married is something catholics, especially European catholics, do in a house of God because it's sacred. This just adds to the highly unrealistic vibe. The whole story just kinda comes across as a work by a young teenage girl, imagining some fantasy romance.
To topping it all off, the female lead just feels off. I don't know what it is but they're something that impedes the chemistry between her and the others, she seems distant. The grandmother and the two guys did a great job but the whole movie is about the girl so her performance is vital to the success of the movie.
I'm all in for this Lifetime series of Novels to Screen!
rebekahrox10 June 2019
Great production values and a multilayered uncookiecutter-like plot elevated this Lifetime Movie. This could almost have been a theatre release. Direct to video, granted, but good enough to be in a small indie theatre. Or better yet, a Netflix or Amazon original. I will certainly be tuning in for more in the bestseller to movie series. I loved the lead actress, Kelen Coleman. How refreshing to have an attractive but not pageant-worthy heroine! I didn't care for either of her two love interests too much, but they weren't horrible. And of course, the lovely Jacqueline Bissett. Senior Actresses take note of her natural beauty, untarnished by plastic surgery or botox. She may have wrinkles, but they give her character and strength. I also liked that, as a frequent Hallmark viewer, I thought I knew where this was going. Until I didn't.
Kelen Coleman was the perfect Valentine
laruediane200017 June 2019
I read Adriana Trigiani's novel, Very Valentine, when it published ten years ago and thought it would make a fantastic movie. I'm so happy that Lifetime made it their initial Books to Screen production. Kelen Coleman was perfect as Valentine, just as I pictured her in the book. The scenery was gorgeous, the family story wonderful, and I loved that it honored the passion that people have for their creative work. Jacqueline Bissett was a delight as Teodora, and how great it was to see a mature love story portrayed. I hope they make the other two books in the Valentine series into movies too.
what a promising series!!
BogotaBoy27 March 2023
This is so diverse and showing reversal of everyone's positions with excellent script and acting. I expect this to almost become a classic after discovering bit by accident on AppleTV where I never thought they could only produce junk like their phones. Well I was forced to watch them to see MLS soccer and Lucked across Shrinking and got hooked with binge watching 6 shows!
This seems like Weeds with a soft innocent beginning that gets complicated and without any of the blatant sex. The cast in all cases are amazing seeming so natural in their roles and polished next to super pros like Harrison Ford none seem like first timers. Anxious to see more as it develops.
This seems like Weeds with a soft innocent beginning that gets complicated and without any of the blatant sex. The cast in all cases are amazing seeming so natural in their roles and polished next to super pros like Harrison Ford none seem like first timers. Anxious to see more as it develops.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
