You’ve probably seen the poster: Liam Neeson looking ruggedly pensive against a backdrop of golden Tuscan hills. It looks like your standard "mid-life crisis in a villa" flick. But the Made in Italy movie is a weirdly specific beast. It’s not just a film about a guy fixing a house; it’s a meta-commentary on grief that feels almost uncomfortably personal.
Honestly, the plot is pretty thin if you just look at the surface. Robert, a bohemian London artist who hasn’t painted anything meaningful in years, travels to Italy with his estranged son, Jack. They need to sell a dilapidated family villa to fund Jack's divorce settlement and save his art gallery. That’s it. That’s the movie. Or is it?
The real hook isn't the renovation. It’s the fact that the two leads are played by real-life father and son Liam Neeson and Micheál Richardson. They aren't just acting out a script about losing a wife and mother; they lived it.
The Tragedy Behind the Scenes
Back in 2009, the world was shocked when Natasha Richardson—Neeson's wife and Micheál’s mother—passed away after a tragic skiing accident. She was only 45. In the Made in Italy movie, the characters are grieving a woman who died in a car crash. The parallels are so thick you can practically feel the air leave the room during the more emotional scenes.
It makes the "standard" drama tropes feel raw. When Robert (Neeson) stares at a dusty mural or looks through old photos, you aren't just watching a seasoned actor hit his marks. You’re watching a man who actually knows what that silence feels like.
Why critics were split
People didn't exactly lose their minds over this film when it dropped in 2020. It sits with a fairly "meh" 44% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics basically complained that it was too predictable. "Another scenery sandwich," some called it.
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They aren't entirely wrong. The movie follows the "Under the Tuscan Sun" playbook almost to a fault:
- The house is a literal wreck (we’re talking holes in the roof and no plumbing).
- The local real estate agent, Kate (played by the always excellent Lindsay Duncan), is delightfully snarky.
- There’s a beautiful local chef, Natalia (Valeria Bilello), who just happens to be single and great at making pasta.
- Father and son scream at each other, then bond over a bottle of wine.
But focusing on the clichés misses the point. The film was the directorial debut of James D’Arcy. You might know him as an actor from Dunkirk or Agent Carter. He clearly wasn't trying to reinvent the wheel. He was trying to capture a specific vibe—that "cozy blanket" feeling where the stakes are low but the emotions are high.
Tuscany as a Character
If you’re watching the Made in Italy movie for the cinematography alone, you won’t be disappointed. It was filmed mostly in the Val d’Orcia region. Specifically, they used the hill town of Pienza and a village called Monticchiello.
The villa itself is a real place called Villa Fontanelle in Argiano, just outside Montalcino. In the movie, it’s a disaster zone. In reality? It’s a stunning estate surrounded by vineyards. The production team actually had to "deconstruct" the interior to make it look like it had been abandoned for twenty years. They added peeling wallpaper and layers of fake dust just to give Neeson something to fix.
The light in these scenes is ridiculous. Cinematographer Mike Eley leans into those "magic hour" sunsets that make everything look like a Renaissance painting. It’s pure escapism.
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The Mural Mystery
One of the most striking parts of the film is a massive, aggressive red mural Robert painted in the living room after his wife died. It’s supposed to represent his "angry" period. Jack hates it. Robert is haunted by it.
While the painting itself was created for the movie, it serves as a great metaphor for how people deal with loss. Some people hide it (like Robert, who stopped painting entirely), and some people want to scrub it away (like Jack, who just wants to sell the house).
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that this is a "Taken" style movie just because Liam Neeson is in it. If you’re waiting for him to punch a corrupt Italian official or hunt down kidnappers, you’re going to be very bored.
This is "Soft Liam." It’s the version of Neeson we saw in Love Actually, just older and a bit more grizzled. He’s actually quite funny in it. There’s a scene where he tries to flirt with the local women that reminds you he’s got great comedic timing when he isn't busy being an action hero.
Key Details You Might Have Missed
- The Language Barrier: Unlike many Hollywood movies where everyone miraculously speaks perfect English, the film acknowledges the locals speak Italian. Jack's struggle to communicate adds a layer of realism to his "outsider" status.
- The Divorce Plot: Jack’s motivation for selling the house is pretty selfish at first. He’s not there for a spiritual awakening; he just wants the cash. This makes his eventual transformation feel a bit more earned.
- Micheál's Name: Micheál chose to take his mother’s last name (Richardson) to honor her legacy. Seeing "Neeson" and "Richardson" side-by-side in the credits is a subtle, touching detail.
Is It Worth a Watch?
If you're looking for a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece, probably not. But if you want a movie that feels like a glass of Chianti—warm, a little bit predictable, but ultimately satisfying—then the Made in Italy movie hits the spot.
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It’s a film about "the bones" of a house and the bones of a family. Sometimes things have to fall apart completely before you can start the renovation.
How to get the most out of the movie:
- Watch it on a big screen: The Tuscan landscapes are the real stars here. Don’t waste them on a phone screen.
- Don't skip the credits: There’s a sense of closure in the final moments that ties the "art school" subplot together nicely.
- Check out the soundtrack: The music by Alex Heffes captures that whimsical, slightly melancholic Italian vibe perfectly.
Next time you’re scrolling through a streaming service on a rainy Tuesday, give it a shot. Just make sure you have some pasta nearby—you’re going to get hungry.
Actionable Insights for Movie Fans
- Visit the Locations: If you’re planning a trip to Italy, the Val d’Orcia (Pienza and Montalcino) is easily accessible from Florence. You can actually visit the restaurant featured in the film—Ristorante Il Bronzino in Monticchiello.
- Explore Similar Vibe Films: If you liked the atmosphere here, check out A Good Year (2006) or the 1985 classic A Room with a View. They offer a similar blend of European scenery and personal growth.
- Support the Leads: Micheál Richardson is a rising talent; watching his earlier work alongside this film shows a significant growth in his range, especially in how he handles heavy dramatic beats.