Image: Crown Media
Location, Location, Location
This movie swerves off the well-worn Hallmark path that predictably leads to a small, quaint and snowy American town.
Did you like the switch-up or not?
The movie was filmed on location in Rome, although some scenes were shot in Romania.
Angela de Luca feels at home in Rome. Although she was raised in Seattle, her parents took her to Rome to visit when she was 10, and it made a lasting impression. After they both passed away, Angela relocated to the city dripping with old world culture, history, and charm.
It wouldn't seem like Christmas to most of us if we had to spend it away from home, unless you are the adventurous type not bound by tradition.
Have you ever ventured away for the holidays, either out-of-state or overseas? Share your experience in the comments section below!
Interesting Cultural Twist
The celebration of Christmas is universal and unifying, but Hallmark gave us an educational glimpse into fascinating cultural differences, at least between America and Rome.
For example, an early start to the day in America is between 6:00 am and 8:00 am. In Rome, 10:00 am is early!
It's considered rude not to accept a gift when a Roman offers one, and buying gifts for a businessman's kids or grand children before conducting business with him is a welcomed, customary gesture.
Before Luigi Forlinghetti will make a decision regarding the sale of his ceramics business to Oliver's acquisitions firm, he wants the assurance that Oliver grasps the essence of Rome's soul. While Americans tend to focus more on the bottom line, it's not uncommon for company founders to make sure they are leaving the business in good hands. After you spend a lifetime building an enterprise, or sustaining one that's been in the family for generations, you worry about its continued success after you release the reins.
Personal Flair
Angela de Luca is fired because she makes a habit of departing from the script and adding her own personal flair to the tours she conducts.
Rather than hitting the top 10 tourist traps, she exposes visitors to the special nooks and crannies of the city that showcase its heart. Her boss let it pass when she sneaked into a museum and picked up a sword at the Colosseum, but when she takes her tour group into a bake shop and feeds them samples, one tourist is allergic to an ingredient and has to get shots. This is the last straw.
Can you relate to Angela's desire to operate outside of the box?
Think about your own job. Are you expected to march to the beat of someone else's drum? Can your garnish your work with your own creative stamp, or do you have to follow protocol, even when your ideas are better?
Necessity is the mother of invention. When Angela is fired, there's a silver lining. Even though she doesn't know how to write a business plan or make a pitch to investors, Oliver helps her, and her talent and creativity shine through.
Pursue your dreams. Don't let fear hold you back from reaching your full potential. When you get stuck, there's always someone who knows how to help--you just have to find them.
Fountain Toss--Fact or Fiction?
Angela explains the coin toss to Oliver, telling him to face away from the fountain, and toss a coin with his right hand over his left shoulder. Oliver anxiously tosses in three coins, not realizing the implications.
- One coin means a return trip to Rome is assured.
- Two coins mean an Italian romance.
- Three coins brings true love.
Is this legend a Hallmark fabrication or a Roman tradition?
It's true! Trevi Fountain may be the most visited fountain in the world. An estimated 1,200 people visit the site every hour!
A Movie of Substance
A Christmas in Rome contains all the warm fuzzies we expect from Hallmark, but the cultural comparisons, historically accurate accounts, and the gorgeous landmarks add a level of depth to all the whimsy.
Despite its departure from the snowy landscapes of rural America, this movie was a delightful change of pace.
#hallmarkies #HallmarkChannel #ChristmasInRome #LaceyChabert
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