I didn't have high expectations when I started watching this series, I was prepared to watch something light and carefree when the second episode hit me right in the heart. I completely fell in love with the characters, the story, the scenery, with everything. I found myself in tears while I don't ever cry at cinema or series anymore. The characters are very realistic and concerning the family relationships it's hard for someone not to find similarities with his own family. I haven't felt deeply moved by a story for a long long time and I am thankful of discovering this little precious diamond. Maybe Netflix has a lot more to give eventually.
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gmpompou_mbg30 October 2022
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hawkinsuhc8 November 2022This movie, series, almost perfect! It had a beginning, a middle and an end. It actually makes you believe in true love. I loved Lino and Amy's "story". I love how their commitment and love for one another was able to solidify their families. I loved how they never wavered no matter what was thrown at them. Even when you were sitting up there watching, and maybe about to cry or crying or just feeling so devastated for the characters, because this movie made you feel everything, they found a way to lighten it up so you could breathe just a little. So you could smile and suck up some of those tears for just a little bit. Had the movie remembered all the pictures she took, and had some kind of homage to their story at the end, it would have been perfect. Nevertheless, a lovely story.
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Becks2626 October 2022This is one of the best series I have watched in ages. Also the one I have cried the most to!
The story, the actors, the filming.... the Italian food, language, scenery..... Give this series a chance and you wont regret it! It will stick with you for a very long time. It is beautiful.
I have read the bad reviews and I am baffled! You can't judge this by watching 1 episode. You will see more of Firenze, and you will see more of Sicilia (alot more). How she met Lino? She met him in the first episode!
Like I said, the actors are amazing in this; especially Eugenio Mastrandea. I haven't seen him in anything before but he really was amazing in this. So was Zoe Saldana.... I felt their pain and cried through most of the episodes.
Anyone can relate to the heartbreak of what cancer does to people and you will feel emotionally drained, but it's worth it.
Watch it! -
Ginrosie29 October 2022My first compliment is for the actors! Finally, a show that uses authentic foreign characters playing the foreign parts...perfect example are the couple that play Lino's parents. True Italians speaking southern Italian along with the with the mannerisms and sayings true to the region.... Having Italian parents myself, this so refreshing to see and hear this, so much better than using actors speaking with an exaggerated corny accent. On to the series itself, what a roller coaster of themes and emotions: laughs, tears, family and marriage drama, forgiveness, loss, reconnection, acceptance, romance, inter-racial relationships, heart break and devastation. It is a series I will recommend to others and think about for a long time to come.
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lasasala23 October 2022First, all the negative reviews seemed to only watched one episode.
This is NOT a Hallmark movie, by any stretch of the imagination.
Complex, profound and with wonderful depth, this series is about the deeply moving love story between a man, a woman and their complex families.
And I have to say that I love the way the series handles culture, race, grief and spirituality.
It is a lovely series and not just because of the beautiful settings. It is a lovely story, full of heart.
The series is based on Tembi Locke's memoir by same name.
Zoe Saldaña shines. Eugenio Mastrandrea is more than charming, lending real emotional weight. The direction is solid. The cinematography is lush. All the performances ring true. And the music is perfection.
Reese Witherspoon is one of the Executive Producers, so you can be assured of its quality.
Highly recommend. -
tinapatel-6221026 October 2022The acting was incredible - simply incredible - each and every actor in this show was amazing and brought so much depth to their characters. I binged the entire mini-series in a few nights, and by the last moment, I was ugly crying. I haven't cried this hard in a long time. This was a love story that shows you how to love, compromise, appreciate, respect, communicate. I loved the cultural nuances, the dreams that had to change, the realities of life, the complexities of families and choices. This is the best love story I have seen since 'The Notebook.' My husband isn't a fan of romantic movies; however, he was glued to the story as much as I was and appreciated it. It's a must watch.
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aayatmahdi23 October 2022The first couple of episodes and also the trailer might make it seem like a basic movie with the same old story much like Netflix's recent "Love in the Villa" but it was nothing sort of that!
It is a truly amazing piece of art. Don't let the first couple of episodes turn you off; it just keeps getting better and the story gets more real as we go past episode 2. I specially loved to see more of Lino's family. None of those characters spoke one word of English but their acting and emotions encapsulated my heart forever and ever. I've never cried before watching any other movie in my life but after watching their acting, I just couldn't help myself. It is simply phenomenal.
Everyone should watch this with their families and loved ones (also kinda appropriate for kids) and I'm sure everyone will love it. I'm definitely going to give a second chance to the first few episodes!!
This is one of the finest Netflix productions of the year.
MUST WATCH! -
Felixhug23 October 2022Netflix is not particularly known for quality but rather quantity.
This limited series though is an absolute homerun.
Just beautiful in its humanity and EQ.
The closest comparison that comes to mind is this is us.
Hankerchief next to your tv control is a must though.
Its about love, family, cross cultural relationships, what home means, grief... about life in short.
It's written beautifully and meaningful. The production quality and acting is outstanding.
The wish is that more productions would take such deep care of the material at hand, so that we all can feel time well spent watching something on Netflix.
While its a drama for sure, its not a soap opera that lives from cheap mean backstabbing. There is a refreshing lack of cynical elements in favor of keen observations what it means to be human. -
dominiquedejonge-16 November 2022The acting is wonderful but was overshadowed by the annoying pushing families and the clichés of how they behaved in the story. Way too much emphasis on that! As a European I could not relate at all and that made this sometimes too much of a drama to watch. I hoped that during the storyline things would change but it only got worse... one thing after another and it just became too mich illogical reasoning. Maybe I'm too down to earth for it... So, not my cup of tea, but a lot if people (I trust: mostly Americans) will love it a lot!
The music is great though and helps throughout the storyline. -
slrussell190822 October 2022From Scratch is a true story based off the book From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily and Finding Home by Tembi Locke. This movie is a warm captivating love story of cross-culturals set in a beautiful Sicilian countryside.
This romantic love story was full of emotions. With a mixture of family drama, love & support From Scratch will have you in your feelings so make sure you have lots of Kleenex. As a recent cancer survivor this story touched me personally. The two leads had amazing chemistry and the supporting cast were phenomenal. Enjoyed the music and the food I can't wait to try some of the recipes that are in the book. If you're looking for something to binge give it a watch you won't be disappointed. -
hasmigu27 October 2022I watched this without knowing what it was about. So I was caught off guard when Lino was diagnosed with cancer. My jaw dropped lower when it was identified as a sarcoma cancer which I was diagnosed with in 2020. These cancers are rare and not typically found in adults but rather is seen in children. Like Lino I had surgery and chemo and also radiation. There have been no real changes in the treatment of sarcoma cancers and the chemo is circa the mid 1980s. Once treatment is finished you live knowing it will come back - just not when which the series captures - especially when Amy is talking with her sister. Eugenio Mastrandea does a great job throughout the series. He captured the loneliness one feels going through the cancer treatment despite being surrounded by friends. And the decisions you make that are yours and yours alone. I guess in a weird way I just wanted to say thank you for putting a sarcoma cancer on the screen because I want people to know about it. There are no fundraisers, no 'run for the cure' for sarcoma cancers and I want there to one day be some. So. Thank you. Great series with sensitive acting from all especially Lino's father who had me in tears. Loved the switching from Italian to English and back.
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zinnymarshall22 October 2022I don't know where to start from but I can say for sure that this series is a hell of emotions. The love story was romantic, the passion was felt and sadness was deep it was like it all happened to me in one seating. I practically bawled my eyes through the pathetic parts. Lino's and Amy's love story is highly relatable and the series of trials the passed through to be where they are is highly commendable. I for one will say that the writers of this movie did a hell of a job and they actors brought it to life by nailing everything on point, it goes to show that family is everything in every situation. They are there to be a backbone when needed. This is a series worth watching words can't describe ,best believe that it embodies everything you can think of. A Movie Never To Be Forgotten.
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Zedyeti4 November 2022The trailer and episode 1 give the wrong impression of what this show is and what's going to happen, so if you make it past that you'll learn quickly it's not another Netflix series about an American girl trying find herself in a foreign country and ends up in some dumb love triangle...
Episode 2-3 got me actually interested in the show and thought so that's why they casted Zoe cause she can act. I was worried her talents would be wasted after episode 1. Unfortunately what I got between these episodes wouldn't last long because the real story comes next.
Episode 4. Tension of the story is setting in and predicting where it's heading is about to throw you off. Immediately once they hint a doctor visit is needed I was worried where this story was headed. Turns out my worries were right. It's sucks because I immediately knew what I hoped would happen in the story probably won't and to be honest lost interest.
Hate this review all you want but going into this show blind ended up backfiring cause I wouldn't have wasted my time knowing it's going to turn into another sad cancer journey. If that's your thing cool this probably one of the better ones and go cry away. I just really wanted to see what could become of the story we saw in episode 2-3. To be honest I didn't finish the show. I got far enough in that I knew what would happen and later got it confirmed. So if super sad story is your thing then this is perfect for you. -
jennifer_ohara30 October 2022Do you like to cry? Do you like to feel sad and frustrated? I don't want to give too much of this away but if you're someone that enjoys watching extreme struggles in love, family and health then this is the show for you. This couple goes through absolute hell I found it too excessive and painful to watch. As soon as something good happens it is soon followed up by something gut wrenching. I gave up in the middle of episode 6 and read spoilers online. I'm glad I gave up because it only gets worse. That being said, the acting is wonderful and the scenes in Italy are breathtaking but this a was way too dismal for my liking.
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ladydoodlebop24 October 2022I don't want to post any spoilers, but I wonder what's with all the people giving it poor ratings for only bother to watch one or two episodes.
Like I said, it wasn't what I expected, but it was really beautifully done. It had me crying my way through it.
Beautifully done I suggest watching it for yourself and bring a box of Kleenex with you when you do. The only spoiler I can provide is that if you're expecting Emily in Paris, this is not it. And yes, there is a noticeable age difference between the two lead characters, but doesn't really matter in the stage? Would anybody say anything if it were an older man and a younger woman? -
I feel that the character development and the formation of the relationship between Lino and Amy in the 1st episode could have been better. Once you look past that, you can really become invested in the lives and relationship between Lino and Amy through their love and devotion to each other and the trials and tribulations they have to endure as well as the happiness and hope for their future. Ended up practically binge watching this series, I really tried to watch it all in one night (because I was hooked) but couldn't. Ended up watching the last 2 episodes as soon as I woke up at 6am and ended up bawling my eyes out. Brava Zoe and Eugenio!!!
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elisa-grant26 October 2022Just knowing it was based on a true story made it touching from the get go.
As someone who has lived chunks of her life and loved deeply in Italy, this film hit home in so many ways for me.
It's a beautiful visual treat in the episodes where they are in Italy and the pacing gives one the feeling of small town Italy too.
A couple of episodes in you can start to feel something is "coming" and it takes its time getting to the crescendo of sadness. Then, once there, it sits in it a while before ending in a very American "happily ever after" kinda way which one is thankful for in this case.
Well acted, particularly by a beautifully spoken Zoe Saldana who is a delight to listen to in Italian.
Try to watch in decent chunks (I did it in 2 x sittings) so as to really get into the feeling it's conveying. Just have a box of tissues handy 💔 -
wonderstone_entertainment24 October 2022Wrapped in life stories merged in love, tradition, hope and pain there are unforgettable characters within this series that move a soul with every line, every facial expression, and every heartfelt embrace. I consider Music to be the main character pressing all others into my heart and mind. Then, of course, there is Zoe and Eugenio, the obvious lovers that live out their days testing the strength of that love. They certainly made and impression on me. But, perhaps, the characters that grabbed my attention the most while viewing the series was Kellita Smith-an actress who, in my opinion, has finally found a platform worthy of her comedic timing, and then there is the ever versatile, undeniably talented Danielle Deadwyler--an actress who often transforms herself into drastically different roles, where she could easily be nearly any and every black woman or black man who's dead or alive. Without pause, I'm always anchored in the natural talent and brilliant line delivery of Keith David and Judith Scott, and in this series their performances did just what I expected; they kept me grounded in all that's good. Topped off with the talented Paride and Lucia, and directed by a Nzingha Stewart, this series is full of character that will never die.
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rofgabor28 October 2022So Saldana is 44 and Mastrandrea is 28. And yes, Saldana is a great actor, she is on top of it, it's enjoyable except that she does not look 20, the girl she plays. She looks her age, which is a good thing in Hollywood these days. But it's weird when the viewer has to swallow such an age discrepancy.
Aside from that, good story, relatable, a bit cheap at times (the parents are out of a stereotype store - white people's idea of rich black people) the Italian scenes are pretty, and (100 more characters) I don't know, if you get past of Saldana in her 40s playing a college girls, it's absolutely one of the better shows on Netflix! -
lauragarciamarketing23 October 2022Zoe & Eugenio's interpretation was amazing. My husband and I were watching it together. We are a mix couple from two different cultures. This show made us feel a lot of emotions. It was incredibly well done and they couldn't pick better actors. Their love story feels so real. It tells you that love can endure the hardest things in life. I love how supportive both of their family's are. I love how they support each other and how they decide not to quit on each other's even when things got tough. I love how her sister makes her laugh in the toughest moments of her life. I love the cultural differences that they embrace together. We laughed, we cried, and we remembered that we are really grateful that God put us together. Thank you for this amazing show. I 100% recommend it!!
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AJ_McAninch8 November 2022While I think the glowing reviews are over the top, it is a good series with fine cast, especially both leads, who are charming, particularly in the early episodes. The problems are with direction that makes often inexplicable jumps in episodes and sequencing, stretches the last episodes to the point of being tiresome, and would have us believe the 44-year-old beautiful actress and the 28-year-old beautiful actor are actually a good match. I have no issue with older woman, younger man plots at all and have enjoyed several series with that plot, but the discrepancy in this one was obvious as the story-line progressed. However, I did mostly enjoy the series.
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Lala-904123 October 2022This is a difficult review. Love Italy, know Florence and Sicily, as well as the US, love family dramas, good food and art and thought this would easily be a 10/10 for me. Yet I had to force myself through e1-4 (mid e4 got better) because it felt unreal, I couldn't connect with any character and I was bored to death. The only reason I didn't give up is because in THEORY, I should have loved it. Well, during Episodes 4/5-8 it all came together for me. Finally it seemed real, it made me smile, laugh, cry. Not going to spoil it, just saying that what happened was portrayed realistically and in the end love, in its many forms, is all that matters. I will watch this again and see how I feel about e1-4.
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davidbayjp30 October 2022This show looks and feels a lot like the old NBC family drama Parenthood but adds several This Is Us-like cheap sucker punches to the emotions. I enjoyed the mostly good acting and an almost good script with only a few "ya, nobody actually talks like that" moments.
The main flaw was in the early episodes where the story rapidly plots a rather superficial human relationship with no real build up of attraction beyond tasty Italian dishes. It fails to reel you into the depth of the leading couple's love. It feels pretty shallow and unconvincing. Then suddenly they are off to the chapel and hopping the years through a life long epic family love story with a few plot twists from the Gray's Anatomy playbook.
Little emotional or intellectual depth here, but I did appreciate the cast and their performance.
I was glad to see the callout for hospital staff assuming the mixed race leading couple wasn't married. My spouse and I constantly suffer from this experience too. -
nijo-666363 November 2022Where did all the positive reviews come from? Did I miss something?
* If there's anything that's needed to be (re)done from scratch, it's got to be the entire series. The script, the writing, everything.
This was so horrible. It's incredible that it's based on a true story. If your're reading this review, save your time, don't bother.
Cringeworthy right off the bat, poor choice of cast, and the icing of the cake is the good old cliché of naive American girl in Europe bumping into some random dude right after saying she's not looking for love. Dude showing up in the rain to rescue the helpless girl waiting by the window.
If I could rate 0, I would. The writing is so lazy you can't help but feel pity for the cast who had to be play their roles in such a horrible show.