Little Italy (2018)

Intro
"Little Italy" is a 2018 romantic comedy film directed by Donald Petrie. The story, embeded in Toronto's Little Italy, follows the lives of 2 families and the growing love of their kids in the middle of rivalry, traditions, soccer matches and pizzas.

Overview
The film opens with a backstory about two close-knit Italian families-- the Angiolis and the Campolis, who run a pizza organization together in the heart of Little Italy. Through classic pictures and montage, we get to see the close relationship between the two families and their children, Nikki (Emma Roberts) and Leo (Hayden Christensen), who matured together. Nevertheless, a difference over a secret pizza recipe leads to falling out between the two households, dividing the restaurant into 2 separate entities.

Romantic Thread
Nikki, a skilled cook like her daddy Sal Angioli (Adam Ferrara) eventually goes to London to study at Le Cordon Bleu, distancing herself from the household chaos. Meanwhile, Leo stays in Little Italy, operating at his family's pizza store. After 5 years, Nikki goes back to Toronto due to her visa problems, rekindling old sensations toward Leo and triggering a divide between herself and her London-based fiancé.

Family Feud and Love Triumphs
The family feud is the continuous thread that runs in the background, improved through numerous pizza bake-off obstacles and soccer matches. The competition intensifies as Leo and Nikki privately kick-start their love, uninformed of a typical trick held by their fathers. The conflict caps when Nikki is used a task in London and Leo feels dejected. However, the secret to their fight is exposed-- their daddies had been pretending to fight, hoping their persistent children would join.

Conclusion
Nikki refuses the task in London and chooses to stay in Little Italy, realizing she likes Leo more than her dreams. The movie concludes with a grand event, with both households letting go of their expected fight, unifying in the fact that Nikki and Leo are now together.

Important Standpoint
Critically, "Little Italy" had a polarizing result on audiences. Some audiences found the stereotyped representation of Italian culture off-putting while others delighted in the humor and romance. The storytelling, however, might have been much better in regards to developing the dispute in between the 2 households and including depth to the characters.

In general
"Little Italy" is a light-hearted love story instilled with Italian culture, clashing familial expectations and delicious pizzas. Regardless of its predictable and clichéd plot, the film offers some heartening moments between Roberts and Christensen. The movie delivers a message around love, home, and the concept that true success does not necessarily depend on enthusiastic pursuits, but rather in honoring one's roots and relationships.

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