La Dolce Villa

Fifty-something American widower Eric Field travels back to Italy, hoping to confront his past experiences in the country and, more importantly, to reconnect with his 24-year-old daughter Olivia. Alarmed by her plans to invest her inheritance in restoring a villa, Eric sees this trip as a chance to guide Liv towards safer financial decisions.

As the owner of a business called Main Course Consulting, based in Ohio, Eric has taken a rare break from work, driven solely by concern for his daughter’s future. During their quest to explore potential properties, they begin to discuss Liv’s time in Italy, which includes tutoring English in Milan, nannying in Florence, and harvesting olives. Surprisingly, she stumbles upon the charming village of Montezara while searching for a wine festival.

One day, while enjoying coffee, they encounter Francesca, the local mayor, who introduces them to an ambitious initiative: the 1-euro housing plan. This scheme aims to attract new residents to remote areas by offering abandoned heritage villas at an incredibly low price. Though the initially listed properties don’t appeal to Eric and Liv, they discover a hidden gem that’s not formally on the market yet. During this visit, Liv learns that her father was once a trained chef. After making a decision to purchase the house, Eric informs Zola of his extended stay in Italy, confident that he can manage his work commitments from afar.

As Eric begins to settle into his new role in Montezara, he unexpectedly reunites with Francesca and Bernardo, the local surveyor, who expresses his apprehensions about foreign ownership of properties in their town. Francesca envisions the housing plan as a revitalization tool and persuades Eric to lend his support.

The next day brings the general contractor Nino, who initially forecasts a six-month wait for building approvals, but after Francesca’s insistence, the project kicks off immediately. As renovations progress, Eric tries to take charge, but Liv stands her ground, insisting on her vision. They uncover remarkable architectural features such as traditional brick floors and a classic pizza oven. During a collaborative effort to remove old plumbing, Eric discovers that Francesca is also a widow, having faced her loss two years prior to his.

As time passes in Montezara, tensions arise. Liv believes it’s time for her dad to head back to Ohio after a month of being there. She hands him a check for a 5,000-euro initial investment. They share a pleasant dinner with the locals, including Francesca and Bernardo. Notably, local chef Giovanni—who has persistently pursued Liv—enters the scene, leading Eric to pitch the idea of transforming their villa into a culinary school to stimulate the area’s economy. He encourages Liv to see Giovanni’s potential, viewing him as a more suitable match than her previous relationships.

Soon, Eric and Francesca venture into the beautiful countryside to visit a renovated castle converted into a luxury hotel. Unfortunately, their budding connection is interrupted by a work commitment Francesca can’t ignore, and she urges Eric to keep things professional.

Months pass, and Zola warns Eric that their competitor Perfect Plate is eyeing a possible partnership with her. Liv shares her excitement about getting a year-long interior design apprenticeship in Rome, and also hints at her developing relationship with Nino. Tensions rise further when Bernardo realizes that Eric is spending time with Francesca.

Francesca successfully re-zones the Fields’ property without Bernardo’s assistance. At the unveiling of a restored fresco intended for the culinary school, trouble brews when Bernardo introduces a couple, the Longos, claiming they are the rightful heirs to the villa. Eric proposes to hand over the property to them, on the condition that they cover the renovation costs.

Destiny leads Eric to the train station as Francesca and a team of locals uncover the truth: the Longos are connected to another abandoned house in town. In a moment of clarity, she rushes to Eric to express their feelings for one another. Months later, all celebrate the successful launch of the culinary school in Montezara, a new beginning for both families as Eric’s Ohio restaurant consulting firms merge into a promising future.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04