Made in Italy 2018

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What begins as a story about a man trying to preserve his family’s legacy evolves into a heartfelt journey of reconciliation, healing, and rediscovery. Jack Foster is the manager of an upscale art gallery, a career he’s dedicated himself to. His life takes an emotional turn when his soon-to-be ex-wife, Ruth, informs him that her family plans to sell the gallery in just a month, leaving Jack feeling utterly devastated and uncertain about his future. Driven by necessity, Jack insists on purchasing the gallery himself but faces a major obstacle—he has no money. In a desperate bid, he considers selling the old Italian house, a family estate inherited from his late mother, in hopes of raising enough funds.

The house, located in Tuscany, holds a significant place in Jack’s heart, but it’s been neglected for years. It belonged to his mother and was once a family treasure, but after her tragic death in a car accident, it fell into disrepair. Jack’s father, Liam Neeson, who played a renowned artist, has been distant and disconnected from Jack’s life, especially since he has never visited the gallery or shown much interest in the estate. Jack convinces his father, Robert, to accompany him to Italy for what is meant to be a trip to assess the property, but the atmosphere is tense and awkward from the start. Jack tries to make conversation, but Robert remains distant and unresponsive, revealing a history of emotional silence and estrangement.

Upon arriving, they discover that the house is in a sorry state—filthy, dusty, and clearly abandoned. Jack is disheartened by the sight, but estate agent Kate (Lindsay Duncan) offers some hope, suggesting that with renovation, the property could regain its value. Robert attempts to flirt with Kate, but she dismisses his advances, instead warning them that the house’s true potential lies in fixing it up. Jack begins cleaning and restoring parts of the house, realizing that merely selling it as-is might be the only practical option. Robert, hinting at the house’s sentimental value, suggests they could keep it, but Jack feels otherwise. He contacts Ruth to inform her that his father agrees to sell the house, though she’s surprised, since the gallery is now on the market.

In town, Jack encounters Natalia (Valeria Bilello), owner of a cozy local restaurant. She expresses her lifelong love for the house and hints at her desire to buy it—telling Jack she’d only be able to pay him in risotto. Meanwhile, Robert is shown looking at old photographs of his wife, Jack’s mother, and it becomes clear that the estate’s memories are deeply tied to his past. As Robert helps with the renovation, the two bond over the work, and Robert surprisingly agrees to help fix up the house.

The local community plays a vital role in the story: they introduce Jack and Robert to townsfolk who lend a hand, transforming the house from a wreck to something more charming. During a pivotal moment, Jack intends to paint over a large, blood-red and black mural on one of the house’s walls, but Robert fiercely objects—calling out Jack’s inability to do anything meaningful, and revealing that he himself has been painting again after years of silence. This confrontation exposes Robert’s inner pain and reawakens old wounds.

An evening at Natalia’s restaurant introduces more personal revelations. Natalia’s ex-husband, Marzio, tries to secure a table with a new partner, but she rebuffs him firmly. When Marzio refuses to back down, the diner’s patrons defend Natalia, highlighting her resilience. Jack forms a friendship with Natalia and other locals, eventually inviting them to the house. During a heartfelt conversation, Natalia shares her difficulties with her divorce, including her limited custody of her daughter, and Jack confesses his frustrations with his own divorce and failure to succeed in his career.

As renovations progress, Natalie and her daughter assist in restoring the house. Robert, thankful for their help, invites Natalia for a dinner—claiming he can cook, though Jack knows his skills are lacking. They share laughter over a risotto made by Natalia herself and enjoy a nostalgic moment at the old tire swing Jack played on as a child. Climbing into the lake below, Jack and Natalia share a tender kiss, hinting at a possible new beginning.

Kate, the estate agent, visits the house and views its improved state, but the unfinished mural still looms large. Robert confesses that he kept the mural because it represents his pain over losing his wife. She opens up about her own past, revealing her struggles with infertility and her ex-husband’s infidelity—yet they both agree that some memories are impossible to leave behind. With the house nearly ready to sell, a couple of prospective buyers come to see it, but dismiss the mural as ugly, which frustrates Jack and delights Kate. Despite their interest, Robert refuses to sell the house to these buyers, hurting Jack as he realizes his father may have no intention of selling after all.

Jack’s frustration reaches a peak when he learns his father has made the decision to keep the house. Disillusioned, Jack returns to England, taking with him a piece of art depicting his mother, trying to hold onto her memory. Robert contact him later, informing him that he sold his London home and now has enough resources to buy Jack out of his share of the estate. He urges Jack to buy back the gallery, rekindling the hope of reconnecting through their shared passions. Jack, however, questions why Robert never showed up in his life and was absent during his childhood. Robert admits that he believed he was protecting Jack from pain, but Jack screams at him for never truly being there.

The story culminates with Jack visiting the gallery, where Ruth refuses any offers, leading Jack to present her with their divorce papers—a symbolic step toward moving on. Meanwhile, in Italy, Jack’s mentor Richard, played by Richard, leads a painting class featuring Kate as a student. Inspired by the mural, Kate creates an artwork of her own, expressing growth and acceptance. Jack finally confesses to Richard that what he truly sought was not money but a father figure. He then reconnects with Natalia, who explains her complicated relationship with Marzio and their daughter. They decide to start anew, leaving their misunderstandings behind.

Back at the house, Robert and Jack finally finish restoring the mural, placing the final touches together. The completion of the artwork symbolizes a shared journey—an acceptance of grief, love, and the importance of family, both present and lost. The film closes with a sense of hope and reconciliation, emphasizing that sometimes, it’s through facing our pain and memories that we find peace.