Besides having a title bordering on malfeacance to cinema nerds, La Dolce Villa actually turns out a pretty fair and pleasant film. It doesn’t blow me away though it was adding up to it in the first act. In the long run, it’s a fine romantic / family-focused film on Netflix.

It stars Scott Foley of the silver beard as an American father travelling to Italy when he gets word his 24 year old daughter wants to buy a villa (for one Euro). The town needs re-investment and young blood to keep it alive. She doesn’t want to go back so he reluctantly helps her renovate… and the pretty mayor is making life interesting too.

This film gets away with it through beautiful vistas and charming actors. Every shot of the Italian landscape just makes you wonder, of all the biomes in the United States, why none of it looks as bella as the Italian countryside. Also, where all the hot actors and actresses, especially Scott Foley in his graying beard stage (for the ladies and the Felicity fans).

In the first act, I was enamored with the plot and the go for it rebuilding of the villa. The goal of rehabbing the dusty old house and turning it into something lovely was, itself, lovely. The daughter having the courage to say no to her father and his willingness to be family worked wonderfully.

Some of this faded in the third act and was taken overby legal and economic scenarios. This wasn’t as interesting but it at least retained the budding romance(s) so that was nice. Generally (but not aggressively) the film kind of limps to a perfectly pleasant finale.

Definitely a light and fluffy watch with some amazing Italian love. I recommend it to anyone looking for a romance, romantic comedy, a coming-of-age film, and a taste of the sweet life. It’s a mildly good time.

Score: 77