Made in Italy

Made in Italy

Year: 2018

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Luciano Ligabue

ComedyRomance

Riko is an honest and hardworking man who can count on a group of real friends and a loving wife. Things change after he loses his job and experiences a midlife crisis.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Made in Italy (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Made in Italy (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The movie takes place in the present day, reflecting modern themes of personal healing and the importance of confronting past memories. The contemporary setting emphasizes current social dynamics, with characters navigating divorce, rebuilding relationships, and rediscovering their passions within a timeless Italian landscape.

Location

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is a region in central Italy known for its beautiful landscapes, historic towns, and rich artistic heritage. The movie highlights the countryside's rustic charm, as well as the charming small town atmosphere. The setting's natural beauty and traditional architecture serve as a backdrop for themes of renewal and reconciliation.

🌿 Scenic 🖼️ Artistic 🍇 Rustic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

Main Characters – Made in Italy (2018)

Meet the key characters of Made in Italy (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sara (Kasia Smutniak)

Sara is a compassionate restauranteur who helps her ex-husband Jack and the local community with their renovation efforts. She is honest, caring, and resilient, balancing her personal past with her present responsibilities. Her relationship with Jack begins as friendly but evolves into deeper connection and mutual understanding.

💪 Empathetic 🌟 Supportive 🇮🇹 Italian

Pietro (Tobia De Angelis)

Pietro is Jack’s estranged father, a once-successful artist who has withdrawn from his family after the death of his wife. He is initially distant and self-absorbed but gradually reveals vulnerability and a desire for reconciliation. His character embodies themes of regret and artistic passion.

🎨 Artistic 🧓 Protective 🛠️ Reclusive

Ruth (not cast listed)

Ruth is Jack’s soon-to-be ex-wife, who prioritizes her family’s business interests. Her actions drive much of Jack’s emotional turmoil, but her departure also initiates his journey towards self-discovery and healing.

💼 Business-minded 💔 Detached 💬 Pragmatic

Natalia (Valeria Bilello)

Natalia owns a local restaurant and becomes a key figure in the house’s renovation. She is warm, nurturing, and holds her own past struggles, which she shares with Jack. Her role highlights themes of love, forgiveness, and starting anew.

👩‍🍳 Caring 💃 Passionate 🇮🇹 Authentic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

Major Themes – Made in Italy (2018)

Explore the central themes of Made in Italy (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🖌️ Art & Expression

The film explores how art serves as a means of expressing internal struggles and healing emotional wounds. Robert's paintings and the mural on the house symbolize unresolved grief, while Jack’s attempt to revive the house through renovation reflects a desire for renewal. Artistic creation becomes a metaphor for emotional reconciliation.

❤️ Family & Reconciliation

Central to the story is the complex relationship between father and son, and their journey towards understanding each other. The house acts as a familial symbol, carrying memories of the past that they confront and reframe through shared experiences. Themes of forgiveness and emotional openness are woven throughout their interactions.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:43

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about nostalgic healing like Made in Italy

Characters heal from loss by reconnecting with a meaningful place from their past.If you liked the way Made in Italy used the restoration of a Tuscan villa to heal a family's grief, you'll appreciate these similar movies. This list features stories where characters process loss, reconcile, or start over by returning to a meaningful place, blending heartfelt emotion with hopeful new beginnings.

nostalgichealingreflectivehopefulheartfeltemotionalcathartic

Narrative Summary

Characters, often facing a recent crisis or long-held grief, return to a significant location from their past. The narrative unfolds as they engage in a restorative project, with flashbacks or discoveries slowly revealing the full emotional weight of the place. The story balances moments of painful reflection with tender progress, leading to a resolution that acknowledges the past while embracing a future.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on 'place as therapy.' They combine a bittersweet tone with a steady, reflective pace, creating a consistent mood where emotional healing is physically enacted through renovation or caretaking, offering a deeply satisfying and cathartic viewing experience.

Movies about father-son relationships like Made in Italy

Estranged fathers and sons bridge emotional distance through a shared project.Fans of the heartfelt father-son dynamic in Made in Italy will find more touching stories here. These films explore the complex bonds between fathers and sons, focusing on estrangement, grief, and the slow, often awkward process of rebuilding a relationship, resulting in emotionally resonant and bittersweet narratives.

heartfeltemotionaltensehopefulreflectivefamily dramareconciliation

Narrative Summary

The plot typically forces an emotionally distant father and son to spend extended time together, often dealing with a practical task like managing an inheritance or a business. Conflict arises from clashing personalities and unspoken histories, but the shared goal creates a framework for small breakthroughs. The narrative arc is less about a dramatic resolution and more about achieving a fragile, hard-won connection.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific character dynamic and emotional trajectory. They consistently feature a medium emotional weight, a straightforward narrative complexity focused on relationship development, and a bittersweet ending feel that acknowledges the scars of the past while offering hope for the future.

Unlock the Full Story of Made in Italy

Don't stop at just watching — explore Made in Italy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Made in Italy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Made in Italy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Made in Italy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Made in Italy Summary

Made in Italy Timeline

Track the full timeline of Made in Italy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Made in Italy Timeline

Made in Italy Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Made in Italy that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Made in Italy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Made in Italy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Made in Italy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Made in Italy