What is Made in Italy about? Liam Neeson movie explained

Liam Neeson is a Hollywood actor known for his intense, high-stakes movies like Taken full of combat, chase scenes, and more – but his movie Made in Italy is a comedy-drama some haven’t heard of.

The Irish actor has had an impeccable career of accolades. Movies like Schindler’s List, Batman Begins, to his most recognized role as Bryan Mills in the Taken franchise. He has been known for his impressive display of stunt work in high-speed action movies, and his voice saying, “I will find you and I will kill you.”

But there’s one movie from his career that has taken over fan interest. Made In Italy was a 2020 movie Neeson filmed the same year the action thriller Honest Thief was released.

What’s the movie about? Who does Neeson play? Here’s a breakdown of the comedy-drama.

What’s Made in Italy about?

An artist needs money to buy his art studio from his ex and decides to restore and sell his old villa in Italy with the help of his father, a renowned artist himself.

Liam Neeson stars in Made in Italy alongside his son Micheál Richardson. Jack Foster (Richardson) and his wife decided to get a divorce. But she’s hellbent on taking his gallery and wanting to sell it. He decides to get the money to buy it from her but to do so has to sell his old villa in Italy. Estranged from his father, he asks for help from Robert (Neeson) as the villa was where he grew up as a child before his mother died in a car crash.

Made in Italy goes through the emotional journey of a father and son who have drifted apart due to the death of Jack’s mother. They find the villa in rough conditions and needs to be renovated in order to sell. As they fix the vill, pent-up emotions, and memories surface as Robert feels responsible for his estranged relationship with Jack.

After his wife’s death, he sent Jack away in the hopes of making the grief easier. Instead, it created a rift between them as Jack had no one to comfort him over his loss. The movie progresses with both characters realizing the reality of their relationship and using the villa as a way to heal from their past.

Who’s in the cast of Made in Italy?

Lima Neeson takes the lead as Robert Foster, a once great artist who can’t bring himself to paint or drive after the loss of his wife. Micheál Richardson stars as his son Jack who wants to keep his art gallery.

Read the full cast list below:

• Liam Neeson as Robert Foster
• Micheál Richardson as Jack Foster
• Valeria Bilello as Natalia
• Lindsay Duncan as Kate
• Marco Quaglia as Luigi
• Gian Marco Tavani as Marzio
• Helena Antonio as Raffaella
• Yolanda Kettle as Ruth
• Julian Ovenden as Gordon
• Chelsea Fitzgerald as Amy
• Flaminia Cinque as Deli Owner

Made In Italy’s Rotten Tomato Score

On Rotten Tomatoes, Made in Italy had an average 44% rotten score with an overall 40% audience score.

The critics said, “Strong performances and a lovely setting are half the battle for Made in Italy — unfortunately, the other half is lost by a disappointingly slight story.”

“Made in Italy keeps the ball rolling on the problems of the rich and white in the Tuscan countryside — grab a number and get in line,” said another.

Some reviews saw no issue in the movie’s emotional aspect with one having said, “I had no problem latching onto the two lead characters, believing their feelings of loss, and rooting for their inevitable reconciliation.”

Others praised the cast and director James D’Arcy’s use of comedic moments in the movie. Neeson’s Made in Italy is currently available on Netflix.