This movie is fairly predictable and doesn’t seem to have many bursts of originality, but I think it is a pleasant enough watch and accomplishes the modest goals it sets out for itself. It tells the story it wants to tell and allows the main characters to show some growth. I bet some reviewers who panned this movie enjoy action thrillers and can go through an entire month of watching them and not see (or wish they had seen) any character growth by the lead roles.

Made in Italy is sort of like a romantic comedy without the comedy and with the romance in the background. In a rom-com, one of the two lovers has to make a grand gesture or sacrifice at the end. They don’t here, because the romance is a side story. Instead it becomes clear that either father or son will have to make a sacrifice or grand gesture before the credits run.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch made in Italy again, but I wouldn’t want to sit and eat the same meal with the same friends talking about the same topics again either, but I can enjoy it the first time without feeling like I have misused my time. What did I open this review with? Oh yeah, it is a pleasant enough watch. Let yourself enjoy it.