Let’s dream of Italy
The below writing is from the beginning of the Pandemic….
The world is upside down and inside out for most of us right now. The whole thing feels a little bit like a alternate universe and it’s hard to believe that it is actually happening…
Like a lot of people, I’ve been in a bit of a dream myself too. In many ways my life hasn’t changed much because I usually work from home and home school my son, and so I’m used to feeling a little quarantined. Still deciding if this is lucky or sad…haha :) But life is different…all of the my wedding cake work is canceled or postponed, no kids classes or playdates, no trips to the store or coffee shops. There is talk…there is more news in my face than I want. There is just more weight in the world right now and I feel it, we all do, and it’s hard to ignore it completely….but we can try and escape a little :)
So, I’ve decided that it is time to escape into some happy Italian dreaming! And what better way than to get lost in the glory of the cinema! And really, what better place to get lost in than Italy. It’s impossible to look at Italy, whether in the flesh, in a photo or on the screen, and not be in awe of all the wonders that it has to offer. It is endless enchantment and delight. It is beauty and life at it’s finest. It is a dream…possible to escape to.
Below are some of the movies that were my window into Italy long before I had ever been there. They showed me the place I knew I would fall madly in love with someday, and that helped to ease my heartache while I was away. They are all so deeply a part of me. They are happy, lighthearted, love filled and classic….and I know the romantic in you will love them too!
So, In the words of Daddy Warbucks - “Let’s all go to the movies!”
Only You
This is by far the film that made me dream about Italy the most. I was 13 years old when it was released and it had a huge influence on the towns that I would visit on my first trip to Italy, 8 years later. They story takes you to Venice, Rome and then down to the Amalfi Coast. I may have never visited the town of Positano if it weren’t for this movie and Positano turned out to hold some of the most magical moments that I would have on my first trip.
This is a classic romantic comedy with breathtaking scenes of Italy and incredible music.
Released in 1994, it stars Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei.
Available to rent or buy on Amazon
Come September
This movie..in a tie for my favorite with Only You. This film is still one that we watch regularly as a family and it was my son’s favorite when he was little. It is sweet and funny and stars Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee. So good! Bobby Darin composed the theme song and also sings his famous song Multiplication in the film.
Released in 1961.
Available to buy on Amazon or Best Buy. Rent on Netflix DVD
Roman Holiday
This is probably the most famous of all of the films that are on my list. This romantic comedy is a delight to watch for so many reasons. It is fascinating to see Rome during the early 1950’s compared to seeing it today, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are wonderful together and the story is heartfelt. This film was added to the National Film Registry for preservation in 1999.
Released in 1953
Available to rent or buy on Amazon. Rent on Netflix DVD
It Started in Naples
This is sweet story and the little Italian boy who plays Nando will melt you heart. Set mostly on the Island of Capri, this film takes you around the island and even takes you on a boat ride into the famous Blue Grotto. This was one of the last movies that Clark Gable made before he passed away and I absolutely love him in it….not to mention Sophia Loren and Vittorio De Sicca. This one will leave your heart happy for sure!
Released in 1960
Available to rent or buy on Amazon
Rome Adventure
This is more of a romantic drama but it is wonderful and has scenes from all over Italy. My dad loved this movie and so it has a special place in my heart. It is based on the 1932 novel Lovers Must Learn.
Released in 1962
Available to rent on buy on Amazon
Three Coins in the Fountain
A must for Rome lovers. There is a scene in the film where the 3 main characters throw coins into the Trevi Fountain and in the opening credits there are incredible shots of the fountains from Villa D’este in Tivoli. This film was the reason we went to Tivoli on our last trip to Italy :) It won two Academy Awards in 1955, for Best Cinematography and Best Song, and was nominated for Best Picture. Frank Sinatra sings the theme song Three Coins in the Fountain
Released in 1954
Available to rent or buy on Amazon. Rent on Netflix DVD
Under the Tuscan Sun
This charming romantic comedy/drama is based on the Francis Mayes’ memoir of the same name. The film and the book are very different from each other though, other than the fact that they both feature an old Italian villa being remodeled. This film shows some incredible scenes from Cortona Tuscany where most of it is set, as well as some from Rome and Positano. The music is the cherry on top!
Released in 2003
Available to rent and buy on Amazon. Rent on Netflix DVD
Bread and Tulips
(Pane e Tulipani in Italian)
This is the only film I have listed hear that is an Italian film and is in Italian…with subtitles of course :) The main characters story and the love story that follows are some of the sweetest that I have seen and I know you will love it too!
Released in 2001 in the US
Available to rent or buy on Amazon. Rent on Netflix DVD
The movies above are all special to me because they were a part of my falling in love with Italy but there are so so many great films set it Italy, like A Room with a View, Tea with Mussilini, or To Rome with Love. And I didn’t even really touch on films from Italy except for the last on the list, and there are obviously incredible ones to be seen there too. Cinema Paradiso, Marriage Italian Style and La Dolce Vita come to mind right away. And then there are all of the fantastic films with Roberto Begnini, like Life is Beautiful, Johnny Stecchino and The Tiger and the Snow. Just so much! Definitely enough to keep you dreaming and happily distracted for a while :)
A presto! And remember that all of the movies above definitely go good with wine!