Love in the Villa 2022

Julie Hutton, a dedicated third-grade teacher, finds herself captivated by the enchanting city of Verona, famously immortalized as the backdrop for William Shakespeare’s timeless romance, Romeo and Juliet. Eager to share this excitement with her students, she attempts to introduce them to the classic love story, but her efforts fall flat, raising her frustrations further.

As the long-anticipated trip to Verona approaches, Julie meticulously reviews the itinerary she has crafted for the getaway with her boyfriend, Brandon, with whom she has been in a relationship for four long years. However, in a moment of overwhelming pressure, Brandon abruptly ends their relationship in a crowded restaurant, leaving Julie to face the prospect of traveling solo rather than indulging in a week of romantic adventure.

The journey begins with an uncomfortable economy flight, compounded by the misfortune of her luggage being lost. To make matters worse, she endures a chaotic taxi ride with Uberto, adding to her anxiety. When she finally arrives at the villa she had reserved, disaster strikes again as she discovers it has been double-booked due to an oversight on two different apartment-sharing sites. The owner, Silvio, suggests that she and the wine expert share the villa, cheekily declaring, L’amore troverà una via—love will find a way—due to the overwhelming influx of visitors for the annual Vinitaly European wine expo.

Julie, eager to dive into her packed itinerary, soon realizes that it is futile in the face of her circumstances and feels increasingly despondent. When she returns to the villa, she is shocked to find Charlie has been reading her personal journal. He comically equates her attempt to reconcile with an ex as being akin to putting on dirty underwear after a shower, prompting her to promptly cut off a call from Brandon.

As their interactions unfold, Julie learns about Charlie’s work with a UK wine importer, where he seeks to acquire exclusive rights to wines at bargain prices while navigating an array of extreme allergies. However, their lively banter takes a mischievous turn when Julie, frustrated with the street cats flocking to the villa, hatches a plan involving green olives—a known cat magnet—to close the window. What starts as a prank results in Charlie waking up covered in welts from allergic reactions, leading him to declare war on her antics.

In absurd retaliation, he attempts to send her lost bags back, claiming her poor health conditions should benefit charity. Undeterred, Julie changes the locks to her apartment and reports him to the police as a thief. This chaotic tango culminates in Charlie’s arrest, leading to further tension and a very public demonstration of his displeasure through an elaborate shrine of mementos taken from her journal.

Amidst the escalating rivalry, a tentative truce blossoms between the two, culminating in a shared meal where tensions heat up during a lighthearted food fight involving pastissada de caval—a traditional dish from Verona that initially shocks Julie. The commotion draws the attention of the local authorities, warning them of limitations to their rowdiness, ultimately leading to apologies and heartfelt conversations over glasses of wine.

Their night out in Verona unfolds beautifully, beginning with wishes made at the Fontana Madonna and culminating at Juliet’s famous statue, where they share dreams of love. Through their stories—Julie reflecting on her excessively romantic upbringing and Charlie recounting his experiences growing up with four brothers—an unbreakable bond begins to form.

As Julie navigates the complexities of her emotions, she finds herself inadvertently blocking Charlie’s company’s wine offer during the Vinitaly event. Nonetheless, he asks her to dance, and while their kiss hangs tantalizingly in the air, the arrival of Charlie’s fiancée, Cassie, shatters the moment and surprises him given their recent break.

Yet fate has more in store. Brandon’s reappearance ushers in dinner invitations, leading to a binge of drinking for Julie, which culminates in Charlie breaking things off with Cassie. In a twist of comedic fate, he witnesses Brandon proposing to Julie, only to miss her firm rejection of it. Inspired by Silvio, Charlie musters the courage to search for Julie, and upon their reunion, they both come to the heartwarming realization that they have fallen in love amidst the chaos and misunderstandings of their whirlwind trip.