Mark Steven Johnson’s new comedy Love in the Villa tells the story of Carol (Jennifer Esposito), a recently divorced woman who wants to escape reality and head off to Italy for some much-needed relaxation. Her plans get derailed when she discovers that her villa rental has been double-booked, so she’ll have to share the space with another vacationer: Leonardo (Jamie Dornan). The two find themselves continually at odds, but over time they come to realize that they aren’t quite as different as they originally thought. Mark Steven Johnson’s Love in the Villa – A New Comedy About Learning to Love Again
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Synopsis of Plot
Love in The Villa is a comedy that follows newly single, Isabelle (played by Kat Graham), who has traveled to Italy for some much-needed relaxation. However, she soon learns that the villa she reserved for her stay is double-booked and that she’ll have to share it with a cynical stranger. In time, their distrust turns into admiration and affection as they both learn from each other how to open up again and fall back in love with life.
An Overview of Starring Characters
Single woman Elisa takes an Italian villa for some romantic, no-strings-attached time with her online flirt-of-a-friend Luca, but learns he’s been double booked. She joins forces with snarky Brit Jacob, who’s more of a grumpy housemate than love interest, and they learn some crucial life lessons along the way. Raymond Ablack plays Luca; Tom Hopper is Jacob; Kat Graham is Ellie.
Kat Graham As Julie Hutton
Julie Hutton is a newly single woman that learns the Italian villa she reserved is double-booked, and she’ll have to share it with a cynical stranger. And, who happens to be handsome! While all Julie wants is some alone time, this guy will not leave her alone–literally. Kat Graham plays Julie Hutton.
Tom Hopper As Charlie Fletcher
In his most recent role, Tom Hopper stars as Charlie Fletcher, a down-on-his-luck advertising executive. When he agrees to spend two weeks at an Italian villa with a cynical stranger for work purposes, she threatens to take him down with her when she commits suicide because he didn’t live up to her expectations. This is the quintessential romantic comedy for this decade.
Raymond Ablack As Brandon
Raymond Ablack stars as Brandon, a successful lawyer who is decidedly not perfect. When he travels to Italy with his colleagues on a corporate retreat, he meets Christine (Malin Akerman), an acerbic magazine editor and aspiring food writer who is enjoying the single life after recent divorce.
Laura Hopper As Cassie
Cassie (Laura Hopper) is a newly single woman who will learn the Italian villa she reserved is double-booked, and she’ll have to share it with a cynical stranger. Paul (John Henson) has never been married and can’t seem to commit because of his ex-girlfriend. When they first meet, they clash on everything from art to pasta. But as time goes by, they start to see what’s important.
Sean Amsing As Rob
Sean Amsing, the thirty-something actor who has spent over a decade bringing a young boy to life on the silver screen as Robin Williams’ stand-in for Disney’s ‘A.N.T. Farm,’ has stepped out from his child star shadow and is taking Hollywood by storm.
Written and directed by Rob Weiss, of ‘Seinfeld’ fame, this romantic comedy shares wit and humor with relatable charm.
Emilio Solfrizzi As Silvio D’Angelo
Emilio Solfrizzi was born in Rome, Italy. After working as a photographer and journalist, he decided to change his career path and become an actor.
He had been an actor for 20 years before being offered a leading role in Love In The Villa. He has also done voice-over work for many popular video games.
Lorenzo Lazzarini As Uberto
Lorenzo Lazzarini stars as Uberto, a divorced workaholic who has decided that he wants to break out of his shell. He might not be good at dating, but he is an expert at meeting people. One day, Uberto meets Natasha (played by Melissa Joan Hart) and they become fast friends. As they spend more time together, they begin realizing that they have feelings for each other, but things don’t go as smoothly as planned.
Vincent Riotta As Carlo Caruso
A comedy about learning to love again, LOVE IN THE VILLA stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell) as Mike, a professional football player from Boston who has just been traded to San Diego. As he moves cross-country, his girlfriend back home dumps him. Uprooted and miserable, he starts looking for distraction at a local villa in Italy that becomes his new residence when the owner rents it out by the week.
Solimano Pontarollo As Baggage Handler Amore Air
Solimano Pontarollo is working for a company called Amore Air and he is a baggage handler. He meets Bridgette Wilson who will be travelling from Miami and has no bags. She asks him if he can find someone to let her stay in their villa but she doesn’t have enough money. He agrees to let her stay in his villa because it has two bedrooms while his family are away on holiday.
Stefano Skalkotos As Capo della Polizia
Capo della Polizia Stefano Skalkotos is the new man of Kate Barlowe’s life and she couldn’t be happier. She just needs to help him conquer his fears before she shows him her love.
Francesco Wolf As Polizia #2
The Love in The Villa movie is about a cynical stranger and a newly single woman who learns she’ll have to share a luxurious Italian villa. Things get interesting when Francesco Wolf arrives at the villa, and he becomes intent on busting them for being imposters. With his new bride coming any minute, Francesco quickly realizes that he too is getting trapped by the lie of love.
Katie McGovern As British Woman #1
Katie McGovern is British, funny and probably your favorite mom. Her co-starring role on Call Me Fitz won her a Primetime Emmy nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Teri Rizzo. With such high success she thought about what it would be like to retire from acting and start a family of her own.
What Did Critics Say?
Critics say, Love in the Villa is a surprisingly sweet romantic comedy. It may not be a groundbreaking work of art, but it has all the elements that make up a good date night. Critics found it refreshing to see Kat Graham do something comedic and were satisfied with Raymond Ablack and Tom Hopper’s performances. One critic said Johnson tells this story without relying on artificial messages or crass stereotypes.
6 Questions For Those Who Loved It
1. What is your favorite scene?
2. Would you want your significant other to see this movie? Why or why not?
3. Raymond Ablack, Tom Hopper both delivered what I was expecting from their characters and I enjoyed seeing them play their parts convincingly, just as much as the new actress Anna Alden did for her part.
4. The film seemed very genuine and believable which made it all the more captivating.
5. You’re going to have a good time with this one!
6. If you’re looking for a feel-good romantic comedy then Love in the Villa will be perfect for you! It’s cute, charming and sexy! It doesn’t hurt that we get some fun humor thrown in there too.
5 Questions For Those Who Hated It
What are your thoughts on the film?
1. What did you think of this movie?
2. Did you enjoy or hate the ending?
3. How did you like Catherine Zeta-Jones as Rosa Salto and Donald Sutherland as Sir Walter Salto?
4. If you were given a free pass to see one Mark Steven Johnson film, what would it be and why?
5. Would you recommend this film to someone else? What was your favorite part of the movie?
Final Thoughts From Our Reviewer
I loved this movie! I really enjoyed watching it and found it very funny. The scenery was gorgeous too. This movie is a perfect, light-hearted comedy with heartwarming moments and plenty of laughs. It’s not full of outlandish Hollywood plot twists but instead focuses on relationships and the realities of life.
Was Love in the Villa filmed in Italy?
Tuscany is an enchanted region of the world, with its small winding cobblestone streets and impossibly ancient looking buildings. It is this setting that provides the perfect backdrop for a story about learning to love again, and finding one’s way back into a relationship. The villa where much of this story takes place is as breathtaking as it sounds and there are many moments on screen where we feel like we are right there with Maya, learning not only about Italian culture but also about relationships.
Who plays Brandon in Love in the Villa?
Brandon is portrayed by Dermot Mulroney, who has starred in numerous movies and TV shows, including My Best Friend’s Wedding, Primal Fear, and About Schmidt. In his new film, he stars as a seemingly contented novelist looking for peace and solitude. He doesn’t get it–not when some intruder shows up with his daughter, not when he learns that his ex-wife is remarrying on the property next door.
Where is Love in the Villa filmed?
Love in the Villa was filmed on location at an Italian villa named Tenuta di Castagneto. The house is situated on 360 acres of woodland, vineyards and olive groves overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. In front of a pretty infinity pool and patios overlooked by a hillside amphitheater, it is one of Italy’s most unique and beautiful retreats.
Is Love in the Villa filmed in Verona?
Love in the Villa is not filmed in Verona, Italy. However, you can enjoy a virtual tour of Verona with Mark Steven Johnson who created this beautiful and sexy story about two people from different cultures whose lives are upended by circumstance.
Is Verona a real place?
The gorgeous medieval city of Verona has played host to many love stories. From Dante Alighieri and Beatrice, two Italians who were famously star-crossed lovers, through Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—this enchanting city was home to more than one tragic love story. But now it has a chance at new beginnings in director Mark Steven Johnson’s newest comedy.
What was the official certification given to Love in the Villa (2022) in Australia?
Love in the Villa Movie was originally released on May 16, 2022. It was given a 12A (Parental Guidance Suggested) certification from ACB.
The film would be categorized as a romantic comedy. The movie deals with newly single woman who learns the Italian villa she reserved is double-booked, and she’ll have to share it with a cynical stranger. Together they wind up coming together over their shared grief for their spouses, and eventually fall for each other.
