"Little Italy" Movie Review: Delicious and Delightful

Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen star in "Little Italy"

It's 1999. Best friends Sal and Vince pool their talenta and secret family recipes to give Little Italy its most storied pizza. One day a terrible fight breaks out between the two. No one knows why. But Little Italy is never the same again and neither is its pizza. A wall now runs between the once fabled pizza. Pizza Napoli is now divided into Vince's Pizza - The Best and Sal's Pizza - It's Better.

Present day. Nothing has changed. Sal and Vince spend more time trying to sabotage one another's shops than focus on their own business. But not everyone wants ear. Love blossoms in Little Italy's cobblestoned piazzas between Sal's daughter Nikki and Vince's son Leo. Nikki is now a Cordon Bleu chef freshly returned from London. She and Leo, a pizza chef who dreams of owning his own organic pizza place, rekindle their childhood crush right under their oblivious father's eyes.

But what if Sal and Vince decides and succeeds in pitting their children against each other? Will their love become the victim or  emerge victorious in this ridiculously epic food feud?

"Little Italy", directed by Donald Petrie and starring Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen, is your typical romcom complete with rooftop dances, music video styled ronantic sequences (at least they've got Shawn Mendes singing his single "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" in the background) and of course, a last minute airport chase. We can't deny the fact thar this film is cluttered with these romance film cliches. At least the film is aware of that and whole-heartedly embraces it. But despite being cliched and predictable, the film manages to be entertaining.

The film is peppered with fun and hilarious moments that will make you smile and laugh a bit. Its Romeo and Juliet-inspired story may not be fresh and unique, but "Crazy Rich Asians" didn't have a very original plot either yet it managed to be fun and enjoyable. Plus, this film kinda reminded me of those romcoms from the 90's and early 2000's, giving out this nostalgic vibes. Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen looked good together and has some pretty nice chemistry. Fans of Emma will surely enjoy this one. Audiences will surely love Andrea Martin and Daniel Aiello as another pair of clandestine lovers.

"Little Italy" is a predictable yet fun and very entertaining old-fashioned romcom with some really nice performances from its stars. It's a delicious and delightful mix of cheesy romance and tasteful comedy.
"Little Italy" is showing in Philippine cinemas October 3, 2018 from Go Asia Entertainment.

Rating: 8/10