'Our Italian Christmas Memories' (2022)

Opening thoughts: To be honest, for me the overall standard of the previous 2022 Hallmark Christmas films (with a couple of exceptions of course) was not great. The worst being very bad. Did like the premise for 'Our Italian Christmas Memories' (lovely reflective title) and applaud any film etc that explores or portrays Alzheimer's. Hallmark are no stranger to serious, quieter films and attacking difficult sensitive themes and relatable relationships.

Quite a lot of Hallmark's have succeeded in making good films with a more serious tone and heavier subjects, though others fall into the over sentimental and heavy-handed categories. 'Our Italian Christmas Memories' doesn't fall into those traps, but it would have been a better film if it tried to do less. As a film, it is above average and well intentioned, at its best actually with the Alzheimer's portrayal. But it could have been a good deal, as not all the storytelling works as well as ought. As far as the 2022 Hallmark Christmas films go, it is not one of the worst but also not one of the best.

Good things: Starting with the many good things with 'Our Italian Christmas Memories', the best thing about it is the performance of Beau Bridges. Very classy and moving. Every bit his equal is the charming and heartfelt Sarah Power. The chemistry is sweet and genuine, never sickly, while the supporting cast are solid too despite their material being variable.

Furthermore, the production values are pleasing, with slick photography, beautiful scenery and the editing is always cohesive. The script generally flows well and doesn't feel contrived or self-indulgent, it comes over as sincere and doesn't take things too seriously. The story has enough compelling parts, is very sweet and handles the subject matter tactfully. 'Our Italian Christmas Memories' is at its best in its portrayal of Alzheimer's, very moving and honest as well as tactful. Also succeeding at showing better than most films etc revolving around it how it affects not just the person diagnosed but also family and anybody else close.

Bad things: Against all this, 'Our Italian Christmas Memories' is too over stuffed with too many subplots. What makes this a problem is that it gives a choppy and rushed feel structurally and a few of the subplots are severely under-developed and under-cooked, especially for the doctor.

Have actually highly appreciated the same sex couple relationships and welcomed the increase in diversity in Hallmark films, but the one here is so underwritten and hardly there so it was not needed. The ending is unrealistically pat. The title, as has been said already, is misleading, as said there is very little passing for Italian, the traditions not being Italian and the cast would never pass for Italians, and there is also very little that is Christmassy. There are also too many cliches with nothing fresh done with them, which make most of the situations and character decisions very easy to predict prematurely.

Closing thoughts: In conclusion, decent and with good intentions but very uneven.

6/10.

First of all, please consider that what you see in American movies is American-Italian and hardly ever Italian. Immigrants brought their traditions with them, often from small towns, they became famous there and now everyone believes they are in Italy too. For instance, I had never heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes until I watched the American movie by the same name: nobody knows about it here, apart maybe from some small area in the south (Like mandolins, for God's sake please stop using them in every Italian movie you make :-) ). It was funny to hear them say "Sugo is regional" when the word just literally means sauce (sometimes used to describe tomato sauce, as you can imagine not a regional thing). Unfortunately the movie is right about one thing, kids not wanting to learn how to cook, people stopped learning a couple of generations ago or more. The movie itself is not bad compared to others in its genre, at least it's not just the copy/paste big town person going to a small town and falling in love, there's more here. Just one more thing that makes me smile: nono/nona means ninth in Italian, you need to add an "n" in the middle to make it grandparents. Would I recommend this movie? If you, like me, are addicted to feel-good Christmas movies I would definitely say yes.

We all know Halmark holiday movies are meant to be fun lighthearted rom coms with a bit of temporary heartache/drama. Then they throw one at us that hits hard. Holly & Ivy was certainly one example.

As another reviewer mentioned, Beau Bridges absolutely nails it here. Early on, there's a scene in the kitchen with labels everywhere. Looked identical to my grandmother's home. She died from Alzheimers in 1988, and dad died in 2020. He died from cancer but suffered dementia, often severe. I am now showing early signs myself and this is terrifying.

So for Hallmark to make a movie which places light romance in the background and shines a light on real life difficulties and pain with a Christmas setting, they are to be applauded. Hallmark has the template in this movie for a Hall of Fame film, akin to A Dog Named Christmas.

Yes, the pickle ornament is German (I know personally) but families make traditions from things with varied backgrounds. Not something that should keep one from enjoying the movie. The characters RJ and Anna are relatable, imperfect adults whose stories weave into the greater storyline we'll.

Christmas time evolves for all of us, more so as you get older, lose parents, raise children to adults, and hold on to what is important best we can. It goes from magic to melancholy. This movie isn't heartbreaking. It's like a preview for people in their 20's - 30's as to what the future may hold.

The closing of the movie is wonderful, but do yourself a favor - watch the movie. It's a worthy two hours. Kudos to Beau Bridges for his portrayal of a man dealing with dementia. It's worthy of an award nomination.

Thank you for reading. I don't write many reviews but this was a personal one.