“Made in Italy” is a heart-warming father son story set in glorious Tuscany about bohemian London artist Robert (Liam Neeson), who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Micheál Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair.
Renovations go badly, with father and son soon finding themselves at odds. Robert’s comical lack of do-it-yourself experience leads him to seek help from some colorful locals including the no nonsense Kate (Lindsay Duncan) — an ex-pat making her living selling villas who quickly captures his attention.
For Jack, the state of the house seems to mirror his search for memories of happier times with his mother. He soon falls for Natalia (Valeria Bilello), a vivacious young Italian chef, who restores both body and soul with delights from her local trattoria — until the pair find their developing relationship in jeopardy from Natalia’s jealous and threatening ex-husband.
As Robert and Jack painstakingly restore the villa to its previous glory, they also start to mend their relationship. The future may now look quite different and surprise them both.
“It's a great story about family and love — and compassion and loss and humor,” said lead actor Liam Neeson. “I found it very cathartic in dealing with my own grief. And to do that through one's art — i.e. making film — was very, very unique and special.”