La Dolce Villa follows Eric (Scott Foley), a dad who travels to Italy to try to stop his daughter Olivia (Maia Reficco) from buying a house, but while he is there, he slowly starts to connect with his daughter and finds love along the way.

La Dolce Villa is a charming, light-hearted, easy-going film with some rom-com elements, all with a simple yet heartfelt and sweet story. I found myself chuckling a few times throughout the film. The story did a good job of having a few small surprises; for example, we find out later who a character’s granny is, which was a funny surprise. Another highlight of this film is that the adults often act more like the kids, and the kids act more like the adults at times. The film has some great shots of Italy and brings the culture of Italy to life. Scott Foley, in the lead role, delivers an excellent performance.

He has fantastic chemistry with all the cast, and you could tell he had lots of fun filming this movie. Foley’s portrayal brings a relatable side to his character, and you warm to him. Eric is slightly more uptight and strict than his daughter, which makes for more comedic moments. Maia Reficco shines as Olivia with her portrayal as a more playful and calm character. She has good, subtle comedic timing, and I loved Olivia’s badass jacket in the film. The contrast between Eric and Olivia makes this film more interesting to watch, yet at the same time, they are also very alike.

Unfortunately, La Dolce Villa felt a bit empty, lacking much substance. Despite my slight disappointment, it was made to be simple and easygoing, reflecting the nature of the film. I would have liked a few more emotional or exciting moments. Overall, La Dolce Villa is a film that provides an enjoyable escape filled with charm, chuckles, heart, and memorable performances. If you’re looking for something easygoing, I would recommend it, especially for Valentine’s Day.