Love in the Villa Movie Review
A young woman takes a trip to romantic Verona, Italy, after a breakup, only to find that the villa she reserved was double-booked, and she’ll have to share her vacation with a cynical British man.
Why did I come to this movie again?
I saw this advertised on Netflix and decided I wanted to torture the hubby with a romance movie. (hehe)
5 of 5
Characters
The two lead characters of this show were a bit…flat.
Julie, our female lead, is cute. Until she’s suddenly a brat? I didn’t buy her abrupt turn into a vindictive bit**. She wasn’t mean to her ex, so why be cruel to a stranger? I did love her enthusiasm about Romeo and Juliet, despite hating that particular story myself.
Charlie, whom I recognize from The Umbrella Academy, had zero sympathy…until he did. Sure, he’s British and therefore cold and emotionless, but I could have used a bit more emotion earlier.
Just over halfway through the movie the two of them finally developed some actual chemistry. Before that the film felt like a series of decently written scenes shoved together.
3 of 5
Did I care what happened?
I expected this film to have a happily ever after, and I wasn’t disappointed. If the prank war had been more believable I may have liked the first half a little more. Once the two characters let their guards down a bit I did care what happened.
4 of 5
Plot Holes
Meh. It’s a cute romance, I don’t expect a perfectly woven plot. Forced proximity is a standard trope of romance books and movies, and this film pulled it off okay.
I guess one hole that kept me twitching was that this 3rd grade teacher seemed to have oodles of cash to burn in Italy. None of the teachers I know make that much.
The use of the ex’s was fine, if not a little cliché at this point.
4 of 5
How many times did I yawn?
As I said, the first half felt forced. I checked my phone quite a few times during it. After the halfway mark it the story held my attention.
3 of 5
Cool Factor
I’ve been to Verona, although it was a long time ago, but it was super fun seeing the place again. If that villa really exists, I’d totally rent it, just for the experience of looking down on that square each day!
4 of 5
The End
I guessed everything about the end, including the stuff with the side characters. Still, I went in expecting a happily ever after and totally got one.
4 of 5
Overall Enjoyment
I’d recommend this movie with the caveat that the chemistry between characters, which is why you watch a romance movie, takes a while to develop.
3 of 5
Total: 30
That’s a Green Belt!
White Belt: 1-10
Yellow Belt: 11-19
Purple Belt: 20-25
Green Belt: 26-30
Brown Belt: 31-35
Black Belt: 36-40
