Can Liam Neeson’s Movie ‘Made in Italy’ Be Saved?

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As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the world of cinema, I, James D’Arcy, have stepped into the director’s chair for the first time with the 2020 dramedy, “Made in Italy.” Liam Neeson, taking a well-deserved break from his action hero persona, joined forces with his real-life son, Micheál Richardson, making his significant acting debut. Together, they portray an estranged pair – a father and son, both artists but with contrasting personalities: the aging, roguish father and the young, driven son. Their journey takes them to Italy, where they aim to restore a villa left to them by their beloved wife/mother who tragically passed away in a car accident.

Neeson and Richardson Had a Personal Connection to ‘Made in Italy’

D’Arcy openly shared that the movie “Made in Italy” was influenced by his mother’s passing, and he initially intended to act in it; however, by the time he completed the script, he was too old for the main role. Nevertheless, his casting decisions carried a deep significance – the plot shares certain similarities with Neeson and Micheál’s lives, as both of them lost Natasha Richardson, the actress from “The Parent Trap,” in a skiing accident in 2009.

Reflecting on an extraordinary moment in my life, I recall the instance when I received the script for “Made in Italy”. It seemed almost destined, as if some higher power was guiding me towards it. The story resonated deeply within me, and I couldn’t help but feel compelled to be a part of it. Working alongside my son on this project was nothing short of magical.

My son, much like myself, shared these feelings. In an interview with the Observer, he eloquently described how filming the more emotional scenes served as a profound form of healing for him. He mentioned that although he expected those moments to be overwhelming and cathartic, the entire process was a therapeutic experience in itself. It was during this time that he felt his mother’s love, not just through the story we were telling but also from our dedicated crew. This shared sentiment is something I hold close to my heart.

Through the strong bonds D’Arcy, Neeson, and Richardson share with the film’s subject, the moving narrative interspersed with humor, and the beautiful Tuscan landscape as its setting, one could easily predict that Made in Italy would be a hit. However, this was not to be.

The Success of ‘Made in Italy’ Was Hindered by COVID-19

Unfortunately, I found myself among the many projects impacted by COVID-19, with “Made in Italy” scheduled for release in August 2020. As global lockdowns and social distancing measures were implemented, movie theaters were some of the first businesses to close their doors. Even though streaming platforms have revolutionized how we engage with media, the pandemic still left a significant mark on the entertainment industry.

Statista reports that the worldwide box office revenues plummeted from $44.5 billion in 2019 to $16.3 billion in 2020. Though these figures have gradually increased since then, they are yet to return to pre-COVID levels as of 2025.

Can ‘Made in Italy’ Be Saved By Streaming?

The pandemic significantly impacted the global box office earnings of “Made in Italy,” which only managed $2.9 million against an estimated production budget of $18 million. However, as with many productions that suffered during this period, there’s still a possibility for “Made in Italy” to recover. The pandemic has amplified the importance of streaming platforms for both major studios and independent filmmakers, serving as a new lease on life for numerous films struggling amidst COVID-19. In fact, you can currently stream “Made in Italy” on Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Netflix. Regrettably, negative feedback from viewers and critics indicates that the movie might have more fundamental issues beyond its initial limited exposure.

‘Made in Italy’ Had Bigger Problems Than Its Release Date

A significant amount of the criticism directed towards the film “Made in Italy” often zeroes in on James D’Arcy’s script as its primary flaw. Despite the intriguing concept, critics found several issues with the narrative flow, dialogue, and character relationships being simplistic, and the blending of drama and comedy to be uncomfortable at times, ranging from awkward to disconcerting. Characters outside the main duo of Neeson and Richardson’s characters were seen as underdeveloped, such as Valeria Bilello’s Natalia, a restaurant owner and single mother who is intended to be a love interest for Richardson’s Jack but largely serves as a backdrop in sundresses, acting more like a prompt for him to contemplate his own mother rather than a fully-realized character.

Inexperience Contributed to ‘Made in Italy’ Flopping

Although Neeson’s portrayal of Robert was strong, it’s worth noting that Richardson struggled to convincingly play a 30-something art gallery owner on the verge of divorce. Perhaps he could have benefited from some guidance from Neeson, but the latter chose to stay out of his son’s acting process. In an interview with Parade, Neeson explained, “I kept my distance. I didn’t want to interfere with my son’s performance. James is the writer and director, so I left it up to him… I believe he has a lot of potential as a director.

It’s reasonable to expect that a first-time director along with an inexperienced actor might not perform at their peak. However, it seems D’Arcy could have gained more experience on another project before taking on directing such a deeply personal tale. Additionally, while Richardson sharing screen time with Neeson adds charm to the story, he may not have been the ideal choice to headline, despite his ties to the plot.

Despite facing numerous criticisms and being negatively impacted by the pandemic, “Made in Italy” is still worth watching if you keep your expectations in check. It may not be one of the most exceptional movies that failed during COVID-19, but the stunning Italian backdrop, Liam Neeson’s moving portrayal, and the intriguing tale behind the film could make it an appealing choice for streaming on a relaxed evening. This might be the only advantage “Made in Italy” has to offer.

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2025-01-31 07:32