What Is What About Love About?
The premise of What About Love in 283 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet luxury of an American suburb, Tanner Tarlton feels the weight of her parents’ polished yet fraying marriage. Her mother Linda and father Peter exude the confidence of success, but their interactions hint at unspoken distance. Yearning for a voice of her own, Tanner decides to spend the summer abroad, hoping a documentary about people’s attitudes toward love will give her a clearer picture of what her family has lost.
The journey carries her to sun‑drenched plazas and cobblestone streets across Europe, where she encounters Christian Santiago, a thoughtful young man whose cultural roots and artistic sensibility contrast sharply with her own upbringing. Both carry a quiet skepticism about romance, nurtured by personal histories and familial expectations. Their conversations, sparked by the very interviews they conduct, quickly blossom into a partnership that feels as spontaneous and vibrant as the cities they wander through.
As they film strangers sharing hopes, doubts, and memories, Tanner and Christian begin to see their own story reflected in the footage. The documentary becomes more than a project; it evolves into a living canvas where curiosity, humor, and the tentative thrill of new affection intertwine. Their growing connection radiates outward, offering a fresh, hopeful perspective that subtly reaches back to Tanner’s parents, prompting them to reassess the life they once imagined together.
The film balances wistful exploration with a light, adventurous spirit, capturing the paradox of youthful idealism set against the backdrop of seasoned adulthood. It invites viewers to contemplate how love—seen through the eyes of a new generation—can quietly stir the dormant hearts of those who thought the chapter had closed, suggesting that the possibility of a second chance may linger just around the next bend.
What Happens in What About Love?
The complete story of What About Love, from the first scene to the last, in 389 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Tanner Tarlton [Marielle Jaffe] is the daughter of affluent American parents Linda [Sharon Stone] and Peter [Andy Garcia]. Tanner, feeling stifled by their strained relationship and their high expectations, sets off on a summer journey through Europe to film a documentary about how people view love. In Spain, she meets Christian Santiago [Miguel Ángel Muñoz], a passionate and introspective young man from a different cultural background. Despite their initial differences, the two of them discover a shared skepticism about love, shaped by personal experiences and family histories, and they begin to question what love really means in their own lives.
As they travel across scenic European locales, they interview a mosaic of people—couples, singles, friends, and strangers—each story adding texture to their project and gradually influencing the way they relate to one another. The act of listening to others becomes a mirror for Tanner and Christian, and their own relationship starts to blossom in tandem with the documentary. What begins as an observational study of love slowly turns into a living diary of their evolving feelings, and the two realize that they are effectively documenting their own burgeoning romance through every shared moment, conversation, and discovery.
Tragedy interrupts their journey when a severe accident leaves Tanner critically injured and Christian with a concussion, resulting in memory loss. The documentary they poured so much into abruptly takes on a new purpose: it becomes a vital tool in helping Christian recover his memories and understand the depth of the bond they share. The catastrophe also forces the parents back home to confront their own fractured relationship, watching from afar as their daughter’s experiences reshape the family dynamics and challenge long-held assumptions about love and commitment. The film’s emotional tide suggests that memory—both personal and cinematic—can be a healing force, guiding everyone toward a reconsideration of choices and the possibility of rekindling what once seemed strained beyond repair.
Throughout the unfolding story, the tone remains reflective and hopeful, emphasizing how love can be tested by hardship yet strengthened through shared experience. By weaving together Tanner and Christian’s evolving romance with the parallel journey of Linda and Peter, the narrative paints a nuanced portrait of love’s resilience, the power of memory to rebuild connections, and the idea that genuine understanding often grows from listening to others and, ultimately, to listening to the heart.
What About Love Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Summer trip to Europe begins the documentary” to “Reflections on love, memory, and family”. 12 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Summer trip to Europe begins the documentary
Tanner Tarlton launches a summer journey to Europe to document how people view love. She interviews strangers, hoping to capture a mosaic of attitudes while testing her own beliefs about romance. The project also serves as a way to break free from her parents' strained dynamic and the expectations placed on her.
When:Summer Where:Europe
- 2
First meeting with Christian in Spain
In Spain, she meets Christian Santiago, a passionate and introspective young man from a different cultural background. Despite initial differences, they discover a shared skepticism about love shaped by personal histories. Their conversation marks the first spark of a connection that goes beyond the film.
When:Summer Where:Spain
- 3
Across Europe: interviews and a growing bond
Together they travel across Europe, interviewing people about love and heartbreak. As they gather stories, their relationship begins to blossom and shift, moving from curiosity to genuine feeling. The documentary starts to mirror their evolving emotions.
When:Summer Where:Various European locales
- 4
The project becomes their own love story
They realize their documentary is becoming a record of their own love story. The awareness changes how they act around each other, deepening trust and complicating the filming dynamic. The project becomes inseparable from their growing bond.
When:Midpoint of journey Where:Europe
- 5
A severe accident interrupts the journey
A severe accident cuts the trip short and leaves Tanner critically injured, while Christian suffers a concussion. The immediate aftermath throws their plans into chaos as both are rushed into care. The event halts their European journey and freezes their relationship in a moment of crisis.
When:After accident Where:Unknown location in Europe
- 6
Christian grapples with concussion and memory gaps
Christian wakes with a concussion and memory gaps, struggling to recall their shared experiences. He battles confusion as he tries to piece together what their film captured and what it meant to him. The hospital becomes the place where memory and feeling begin to blur and then slowly recover.
When:Immediate aftermath Where:Hospital
- 7
The documentary aids Christian's memory recovery
The documentary footage becomes a vital tool in helping Christian recover his memories and understand the depth of their bond. Doctors and therapists reference their film as a roadmap to what was felt and shared. Tanner's presence and the film's narrative help anchor his recollections.
When:Weeks after accident Where:Hospital
- 8
Parents confront their fractured marriage
Simultaneously, Linda and Peter Tarlton are forced to confront their own fractured relationship. Witnessing their daughter's journey and the impact of her love story compels them to reevaluate their choices. The family dynamic becomes a crucible for potential renewal.
When:After accident Where:Home
- 9
Parents consider rekindling their relationship
With the revelations from Tanner's journey, Linda and Peter grapple with their past and the possibility of rebuilding trust. They question what love meant for them and whether they can find a path back to each other. The film's influence underscores the stakes of choices they've kept private for years.
When:After accident Where:Home
- 10
The documentary endures as a shared touchstone
The footage remains a touchstone for Tanner and Christian as they navigate recovery and the next steps of their relationship. The film continues to shape how they understand their own feelings and commit to what comes next.
When:Recovery period Where:Europe and Recovery Settings
- 11
Christian's memories begin to return
Christian makes progress in recalling key moments, and his renewed understanding of their bond deepens the budding relationship. He gradually remembers a shared trip, the conversations they had, and the trust they built. This growth strengthens their connection as they move forward.
When:Later Where:Hospital
- 12
Reflections on love, memory, and family
The story closes with the family reflecting on love's resilience and the new possibilities opened by their shared experience. The documentary stands as a testament to memory, forgiveness, and the endurance of connection. While not all questions are answered, there is a sense of cautious hope about what lies ahead for each of them.
When:Closing Where:Home
Who Are the Main Characters in What About Love?
4 characters, among them Tanner Tarlton (Marielle Jaffe), Linda Tarlton (Sharon Stone) and Peter Tarlton (Andy Garcia): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- TT
Tanner Tarlton (Marielle Jaffe)
Played by Marielle Jaffe
Ambitious and curious, Tanner is a young filmmaker who uses a summer documentary project to probe what love means. She challenges the expectations of her affluent parents and seeks authentic connection beyond surface appearances. As she travels with Christian and interviews others, her skepticism about love softens and she begins to see love's complexity. Her bond with Christian ultimately frames their own love story.
- 💖 Curious
- 🧭 Adventurous
- 🎭 Self-discovery
-
Linda Tarlton (Sharon Stone)
Played by Sharon Stone
Tanner’s mother, a wealthy, appearance-conscious matriarch whose relationship with Peter reveals underlying fractures in the family. The trip and Tanner’s pursuit of love cause her to confront the emptiness of her marriage and the pressures of maintaining status. Over the course of the story, she begins to reevaluate her choices and consider reconciliation with her husband.
- 💼 Affluence
- 💬 Family dynamics
- 🧐 Self-reflection
-
Peter Tarlton (Andy Garcia)
Played by Andy Garcia
Tanner’s father, a successful, traditional figure whose strained marriage mirrors the broader theme of rekindling connections. He initially adheres to conventional expectations, but the events surrounding his daughter’s journey prompt him to question his own stance on love and partnership. His arc centers on possible reconciliation and redefined priorities within the family.
- 💼 Affluence
- 💬 Marriage
- 🕊️ Reconciliation
- CS
Christian Santiago (Miguel Ángel Muñoz)
Played by Miguel Ángel Muñoz
A passionate and introspective young man from a different cultural background who connects with Tanner through shared doubts about love. Their relationship grows as they navigate cultural differences and personal histories while filming their documentary. The accident and memory challenges test their commitment, forcing both to confront what they truly want from each other.
- 🎭 Passion
- 🌍 Cultural diversity
- 💬 Communication
Where and When Is What About Love Set?
What About Love is set in Spain and Europe. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events unfold in a contemporary timeframe, taking place over a single summer. The European itinerary gives the story a road-movie rhythm, moving from city to city as the couple interviews people about love. A major accident shifts the narrative toward memory, healing, and re-evaluating relationships in the present.
Where
Spain, Europe
The film is set against the backdrop of Spain and other picturesque European locales, providing a sun-soaked stage for the couple’s exploration of love. The journey across diverse cities highlights a continental vibe of romance and discovery. The landscapes and urban scenery function as a cinematic backdrop to intimate conversations and moments of connection.
- 🌍 European setting
- 🇪🇸 Spain
What Are the Themes of What About Love?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Love, Journey and Memory & Healing.
-
01
Love
Love is portrayed as a learning process that deepens as Tanner and Christian travel and share conversations. Their skepticism gives way to a nuanced understanding of romance, shaped by personal histories and cultural differences. The couple’s bond grows through vulnerability, dialogue, and mutual support. Ultimately, their evolving dynamic becomes a living testament to the complexity and resilience of love.
-
02
Journey
The European travel frame emphasizes discovery, both external and internal, as the couple interviews people about love. The road trip reveals cultural contrasts and shared humanity, illustrating how different backgrounds influence romantic expectations. The documentary-style approach serves as a lens to examine relationships beyond their own story. The travels underscore the idea that longing and connection transcend borders.
-
03
Memory & Healing
An accident interrupts the trip, forcing the characters to confront fragility and dependence. Christian’s concussion and the resulting memory loss create emotional strain while also inviting reinvention of their past. The memory recovery process becomes central to rebuilding trust and understanding between Tanner and Christian. The documentary they created doubles as a tool for healing, helping them reframe their bond and future together.
What Kind of Film Is What About Love?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A heartfelt and reflective drama about rekindling love across generations, balancing the weight of a serious accident against an ultimately uplifting journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.
- reflective
- sincere
- romantic
- melancholic
- uplifting
- sentimental
- love
- marriage
- generations
- documentary
Content notes: car accident, hospitalization, memory loss.
Quiz
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Where to Watch What About Love
Stream it on Plex. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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