These adverts nudging folks to depart every thing behind and go to Italy have by no means been extra alluring in these curious occasions. And with the cost for a villa sitting at simply $1, why not? That’s the hook within the charming Netflix romantic comedy, La Dolce Villa, which finds a single dad dashing off to Europe to cease his daughter from forking over a buck and getting caught with steep renovation prices. Toss in some surprising love pursuits and a chance to fix the previous, and also you’ve obtained your self a sort of latter-day Beneath the Tuscan Solar that’s a bona fide feel-good pleasure.
Directed by Mark Waters (Imply Ladies, Mom of the Bride, Freaky Friday) and written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy (A Good Pairing, Falling Inn Love), La Dolce Villa is an on the spot crowd-pleaser. The inventive substances are all there: good-looking main man (Scandal’s Scott Foley), the gorgeous Maia Reficco of Broadway’s Hadestown and Fairly Little Liars: Unique Sin, and the charming and unique Violante Placido (The American), who all provide a comforting mixture of intrigue and romance rooted in all issues Italy.
‘La Dolce Villa’ Is Acquainted however Comforting
La Dolce Villa
3.5
/5
- Launch Date
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February 13, 2025
- Runtime
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99 Minutes
- Director
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Mark Waters
Solid
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Violante Placido
Francesca
You’ll be forgiven should you can guess the place the plot winds up heading. It’s not that we haven’t been tossed into this sort of romantic movie earlier than, however there’s a sweetness to La Dolce Vita that makes it stand out amongst related romantic comedies (like Ridley Scott’s stunning A Good Yr and Liam Neeson’s Made in Italy, which may be very related certainly and likewise on Netflix). That’s because of the writing — a bit by the e book however with just a few wanted twists, so kudos — and the strong forged, significantly Foley, who exhibits us as soon as once more that he can helm a film and TV collection. (We kinda miss you, Whiskey Cavalier).
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So many issues might have gone mistaken with La Dolce Villa, and whereas it tends to lean on the “candy” aspect of all its inventive units, in some way it by no means turns into overbearing. That is the sort of film you may take pleasure in with your entire household, and in an period when audiences are always bombarded with an onslaught of additional stimuli, significantly in at the moment’s horror spectrum, it is refreshing to return throughout a movie that does not play all the way down to its viewers. In that respect, its simple storytelling is a welcome shock.
Candy however Not Saccharine Sufficient to Type Cavities
We discover Foley’s beleaguered pop, Eric, hiding in his work. He misplaced his spouse a while in the past, and now his daughter, Olivia (Reficco), is rising up all too quick. When he finds her in a small Italian city — the film was shot in Rome, japanese Lazio, and Tuscany — he cannot persuade her not to maneuver ahead together with her plan to purchase an Italian house for $1. The city’s mayor, Francesca (Placido), is raring to shut the deal, hoping to maintain the hillsy city afloat with a gaggle of recent residents who would, in flip, enhance the economic system. Dad and daughter attain widespread floor, nonetheless, and shortly sufficient, Eric reluctantly agrees to assist oversee Olivia’s buy. Enter: rundown villa with a view. Foreshadow: the transformation to return.
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The filmmakers spotlight the picturesque countryside to profitable ends, making Italy a big costar. Scenes of Eric resurrecting an outdated bike from the villa and pedaling to city are a pleasant contact, and you’ll’t go mistaken with three clever dames sitting and gossiping across the fountain within the city’s sq.. All of that provides to the movie’s appeal. Like Beneath the Tuscan Solar, this movie has a development crew, with Simone Luglio’s Nino turning into a sort of Home Papa and confidant.
Millennials and Gen Z aren’t overlooked, both, as Olivia types a bond with a hunky native named Giovanni (Giuseppe Futia). Cafés, espressos, glasses of wines, charming strolls by means of the historic city — what’s to not like? The movie strikes out of a mid-section slog by tossing in just a few dilemmas for Eric (his work), Francesca (plans going awry), and Olivia, who finds herself contemplating yet one more tempting provide.
Really feel-Good Enjoyable for the Whole Household
Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy penned one other scenic romance with Falling Inn Love, which discovered a metropolis woman profitable a country New Zealand inn from a contest. Teaming up with a warmhearted contractor, sparks fly and love blooms. There is a related thread in La Dolce Villa, however the filmmakers unfold the love (because it had been) between Eric and Francesca and Olivia and Giovanni. The story is extra invested in Eric’s journey, each together with his daughter and with taking a leap with a possible new love curiosity. In the meantime, Olivia is extra grounded and way more thinking about creating new life alternatives. She additionally wonders if her dad will come round and embrace their mutual loss.
The movie would not do deep dives into the psychological parts of what it really takes to maneuver by means of trauma and rework, opting to maintain issues lighter. As in inserting a vivid ribbon round one thing like grief and massive life adjustments, and tying it into a reasonably little bow. It really works for what the film is and who it is for. This can be a fluffy comedy, in spite of everything. The final quarter-hour of the movie makes an attempt to resolve any lingering battle, and it is best to expertise it for your self. Nonetheless, it does provoke a large grin.
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Within the meantime, Italy seems to be divine as ever. Audiences could hesitate to confess it, however right here, in 2025, you would be hard-pressed to seek out any person who’s not exhausted by social media, brash information cycles, and the impact know-how has had on our nervous techniques.
This movie reminds us that — shock — human beings really can nonetheless join with one another and the great thing about the world round them. And not using a mobile phone in sight, no much less. That is the preachy critic popping out. All that to say, between its strong forged, charming script, and beautiful setting, La Dolce Villa is the warmest sort of staycation. Press “play” at will and chill. This movie is a comforting keeper. La Dolce Villa streams on Netflix on February 13 by means of the hyperlink under:
Watch La Dolce Villa