Name: Love & Gelato
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Released: 2022-06-22T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Susanna Skaggs, Tobia De Angelis, Owen McDonnell, Valentina Lodovini, Saul Nanni

The opening shot of Love & Gelato lingers on Lina Emerson (Susanna Skaggs), wide-eyed and overwhelmed, stepping off a plane in Rome—a fish out of water in the most romantic city on Earth. Directed by Brandon Camp from his own screenplay, this 2022 rom-com follows a grieving teenager navigating love, loss, and gelato under the Roman sun.

Based on Jenna Evans Welch’s bestselling YA novel, Love & Gelato is a familiar coming-of-age tale with a few twists. Lina, a MIT-bound overachiever, is sent to Rome by her late mother to live out the summer she herself never got to finish. Armed with her mom’s old diary, Lina stumbles through Italy’s cobblestone streets, bumping into love interests (Tobia De Angelis as Lorenzo and Saul Nanni as Alessandro “Ale”), uncovering family secrets, and—of course—eating gelato.

The film’s strongest moments come from Skaggs’ performance. Her portrayal of Lina’s awkwardness and emotional vulnerability is refreshing in a genre often dominated by effortless cool or hyper-stylized quirkiness. The scene where Lina, dressed up for an opera fundraiser, fumbles through her first real flirtation with Ale (Nanni) is particularly compelling—Skaggs sells the mix of excitement and terror that defines teenage romance.

But Love & Gelato stumbles when it leans too heavily into YA tropes. The diary entries, meant to reveal Lina’s mother’s past, often feel clunky and exposition-heavy rather than organic storytelling devices. The film also struggles with pacing—Lina’s emotional journey feels rushed at times, especially her abrupt shift from grief-stricken daughter to confident young woman.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Owen McDonnell as Howard brings warmth and depth to his role, while Valentina Lodovini as Francesca provides much-needed comic relief. However, Tobia De Angelis’ Lorenzo never quite escapes the “mysterious love interest” cliché, leaving his character underdeveloped.

Visually, Love & Gelato is a feast for the eyes. Rome’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant city life serve as a stunning backdrop, but the cinematography occasionally feels more like a postcard than a deliberate artistic choice. The film’s use of music—especially during Lina’s gelato-fueled adventures—hits the right notes, creating moments of levity and romance.

Ultimately, Love & Gelato is a sweet but forgettable rom-com that doesn’t quite rise above its genre’s conventions. It’s a film that will likely resonate most with young adults who’ve dreamed of a summer in Europe or those who enjoy the comfort of well-worn coming-of-age stories. However, it lacks the originality and depth to stand out in a crowded field.

The film’s exploration of grief is its most compelling theme, but even this feels underdeveloped. Lina’s mother’s death looms large over the narrative, yet the emotional weight of her loss is often overshadowed by the film’s romantic subplots. The scene where Lina discovers her biological father (Owen McDonnell) is a rare moment of genuine emotional impact, but it’s not enough to carry the film’s thematic heft.

Comparisons to other rom-coms are inevitable. Love & Gelato shares DNA with films like Call Me By Your Name and Roman Holiday, but it lacks the nuanced storytelling and character development that make those films memorable. It’s also reminiscent of Netflix’s Emily in Paris, trading on similar tropes of a young American discovering love and adventure in a foreign land. However, where Emily in Paris leans into its absurdity, Love & Gelato takes itself too seriously, resulting in a film that feels both derivative and uninspired.

The film’s target audience is clear: young adults and romance fans looking for a lighthearted escape. But even within this niche, Love & Gelato falls short. It’s a film that checks all the right boxes—picturesque locations, charming leads, a touch of drama—but it never quite captures the magic it aims for.

In the end, Love & Gelato is a well-intentioned but ultimately forgettable rom-com. It offers moments of joy and levity, but it’s not a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.