Fitting more squarely into the Gently Dramatic section of Liam Neeson's career (see also: the recent Ordinary Love), Made In Italypromises the near complete absence of punching and/or shooting (though there is the potential for a battle with a weasel), and instead leans in towards family reconciliation and home renovation. Check out the first look at the film below.
Written and directed by James D'Arcy (yes, the MCU's Edwin Jarvis), Made In Italy finds Neeson as bohemian London artist Robert, 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 DIY experience leads him to seek help from some colourful 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 story is given an extra layer of poignancy by the fact that Richardson is Neeson's son with the late Natasha Richardson, and while we imagine their relationship is on slightly more solid ground than that shown here, the real history will fuel the drama.
IFC Films will release the movie in the US on 7 August (pandemic permitting, but it's also planning a video on demand debut), but there is no sign of a UK release yet, where it'll arrive via Lionsgate.