On the same day, Oliver (Sam Page, House of Cards) shows up. What's up with his lower jaw? He looks like he's constantly sucking lemons. Well, he's our Hot Young Business Dude who doesn't mind working Xmas because nobody else wants to work it. He's been sent to Rome at Xmas to convince the owner of an old money Roman ceramics company to sell their line to Oliver's company, a business that must have something to do with homeware, based on the pictures on their walls. Almost immediately, Oliver bumps (literally) into Angela and soon after, Luigi (Franco Nero, Enter the Ninja) the owner of the ceramics company. Oliver makes some Italian faux pas, realizes that Angela's love of Rome could help him seal the deal, so he hires her as his personal guide.
As a romance movie, this is pretty run of the mill. As an Xmas movie, its barely touching the moments. Sure, there is some caroling and an Xmas Tree tradition (hand painted, generations worth!) and lots of die hard (Nero was in 2) Roman Xmas traditions, but it just didn't feel right. Oliver starts off as the expected dick, unable to see how changing his tactics can help him. But about the same time Angela starts making moon eyes at him, he sees the errors of his ways and listens to her. Of course, Luigi gets it right away.
Oliver also helps Angela write a business plan for a guide business of her own, and convinces some company friends to do Angel Investing of her not even really planned business (its been a few days!!). All the while they are pulling their best Up moments, "I just met you but I looooove you." The real love story of the movie was the writer's love of Rome. I do like the way she tours the place.
As expected, Luigi likes Angela-Planned-Oliver and sells to Oliver's company. That means Oliver also Gets the VP Job. But it also means he has to run back to NYC right away. Not sure why but that his boss Estelle is probably from the Scrooge line somewhere way back. Angela leaves heart broken, Oliver packs up frustrated, knowing he has to do one final Deals the Italian Way thing with Luigi and friends --- attend a Caroling Event in St Peters Square. Angela changes her mind, runs to hug and kiss and squeeze him, only to find HE has changed his mind, and will now run Luigi's company in Italy FOR Estelle's company. I am pretty sure CEO trumps VP, so they must Live Happily Ever After.
The Draw: Lacey. And the chance to see how an overseas one would do, if actually FROM Hallmark. Considering our first venture was in Africa but not at all an Xmas movie, this was supposed to be the real deal. Bzzzzzzt. But mainly it was because this is one of their 2019 numbers, and if I had the channel I probably would have at least sat for a bit of it, as I passed through the room.
The Formulae: Despite not being in a PST or NYC, we do get quite a few of the tropes. Angela was dumped by a fiance, and her parents are dead. She's a girl who Just Has to Follow Her Dreams. There is Xmas Tree decorating, and an Xmas Event and two (TWO !!) Red Dress nights. While not as common, there is the Ghost Moment, where Angela shows him how to bake panettone, and they mush dough together.
Unformulae: Rome? Rome. And she's not planning any events. In fact neither of them are really involved in any of the Events.
True Calling? Its Xmas season, and its in Rome. So... yes? Barely?
The Rewind: I am pretty sure those mopeds are against a Green Screen !
The Regulars: Lacey! And Sam Page as well.
How does it Hallmark? This would be one of their C- movies, as it only seems to slightly adhere to the ideals of how to Hallmark. As I mentioned, its more of a Rome Love Story than a Love Story in Rome.
How does it movie? Oh gawds, no. Che cavolo!
(Bonus) How Does It Snow? What? What do you think, they did a Its the Magic of Xmas with gentle snow fall ?!?! No, no they didn't. (F)
Hey, don't lower jaw-shame Sam Page, he can't help his lemon-sucking face!
ReplyDelete