From the Vine

I don't usually have time to leave a negative review for something like a movie, but this thing is so incredibly hacky and undercooked that I wanted to counter the inexplicable 5 star reviews. Hollywood pitch was clearly: late middle aged corporate attorney with unclear but somehow noble ethical standards rooted in unresolved Daddy issues with now dead corporate mentor goes "Under the Tuscan Sun" with added magical realism, clichéd quirky locals, utterly obvious plot that is just an Xmas tree away from the Hallmark Channel, and dialogue found on the floor of better writers' rooms. But, we all get to spend a month filming in the Italian countryside, so who cares if it's garbage? As long as we spring for a decent cinematographer, we can spend the budget on catering for the cast rather than a capable screenwriter.I kept it on in the background for the visuals of the Italian countryside but turned off the volume. I suggest you do the same. If they'd remove the actors and dialogue, this movie would make a fine screensaver.

What a terrific movie: witty, nuanced, and the cinematography was refreshing. Great cast, too. Smiles and laughter and inspiring, too.Always enjoyable to see a Canadian-European (Italian) film collaboration. Not over the top and no exploding heads or ridiculous political statements.

Unable to watch due to the lack of subtitles for the Italian dialogue. When I turned on the subtitles, only the English had subtitles, not the Italian. This issue needs to be fixed since a lot of the film was in Italian too. Unable to continue to watch the film.

sheer torture to watch, guy quits his great job, wife and miserable daughter complain, guy goes to Italy to vineyard property he inherited, abandoned house looks like a 5 star hotel after being empty for 20 plus years -amazing-guy hires all town people to work on this farm and all goes splendidly, fantastic harvest, wine is great, gets big order all works out, wife and daughter in the meantime come to make him leave his amazing property after all, who wants a large vineyard in Italy with a mansion all in perfect condition ? apparently not the Canadians but in the endthey do because it all is so easy and profitable. And everything talks like a Pixar movie the vines the statues the whatever - moral of the story if you have sex in a wine vat everything will work out. Sorry for the terrible review but you got my money and a trip to Italy.

Joe Pantoliano stars as Marco Gentile, a business executive who decides to leave the rat race behind and sets off for Italy to reconnect with his roots. Once there he sets out upon the not so straight-forward task of bringing his family’s shuttered winery back into operation. His wife and daughter (Wendy Crewson and Paula Brancati) arrive thinking Marko has lost it and with the intention of taking him home, but each experiences their own self-discovery and changes of heart. Another beautifully filmed feel good film from director Sean Cisterna. From the book Finding Marco by Kenneth Cancellara.

Never have I rented a movie that I was so displeased with! What the title/description did not make clear was that there is much fantasy involved in this film, and it is poorly done at that. NOT a story of a man reliving aspects of his childhood and attempting to bring renewal to the family homestead. Sarcasm about Canadians and singing grapevines were especially not appreciated.Don’t bother if you are seeking a warmhearted but serious movie. This isn’t it.

So who doesn’t love Joe Pantoliano? When I hear of a movie or TV series with him in it I have “certain expectations”. I like the street-wise “Soprano-ish” tough guy with the Brooklyn accent. This film was not that, it was a softer, more “Gentile” version of Joe Pants, and I liked it. Wise actors know, once “stereo-cast” it can be difficult to break out, Joe does this well in this warm, family centered Italian scenery laden film. While his character certainly carries the movie I can’t say much about the supporting cast. Not because of their abilities but the weak direction in the film. The musical score was nice but there is so much more beautiful Italian music out there that the director’s choices seemed too subtle. The film centers around an auto CEO-Lawyer that was forced to break a promise to his mentor, he resigns and returns to where he was born in Italy , he revises his Grandfather’s vineyard thus revising the town and its “kooky” inhabitants. Many warm funny scenes , but nothing really great. The most memorable line being “ Men and their epiphany “. While you are never quite certain if Mr. Gentile is having a mid life crises or the beginning of a psychosis. Statues wink at him and vines speak to him... the later poorly executed with cheeky special effects. It seems that if the director would have let Joe just take the scene in the field without the talking leaves it would allow the acting to progress. The ending has a few twists which make it fun. It’s a feel good movie .. but plot development could be improved. Yes I liked it and recommend it for the family and I hope to see Joe in more soft films to allow his character to take off.

Was hoping would be a 'feel good' movie but mostly was just quirky. Beautiful scenery, but the characters and dialogue detracted.