“Apparent Love” is an Italian romantic miniseries that debuted on Netflix on October 9, 2024. The direction of this six-episode production, modeled on the British “Gold Digger”, was entrusted to Pappi Corsicato. The project, behind which the Italian company Cattleya is responsible, takes viewers to the landscapes of the Amalfi Coast. Photos by Rocco Marra.
The cast included many Italian celebrities, including: Monica Guerritore, Giacomo Gianniotti, Emanuel Caserio, Dharma Mangia Woods, Francesco Del Gaudio, Denise Capezza, Fabrizia Sacchi, Sandra Ceccarelli, Geppy Gleijeses and Gabriele Stella.
What is the plot of the new Netflix production?
“Gabriella (Monica Guerritore) is the owner of a luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast. She is an elegant woman, proud of her life and the fact that she is 60 years old. She has three adult children and does not expect that there will be any more surprises waiting for her. But then she meets Elia (Giacomo Gianniotti ) – a charming, energetic and independent man the age of his eldest son. The new acquaintance awakens in her a powerful, sometimes even terrifying fascination. Gabriela cannot resist him, but thanks to him – despite the age difference – she rediscovers herself as a woman and lover. For Elia, she is ready to put everything on the line, even her relationship with her children and her accumulated fortune,” we read in the description of the miniseries on Netflix.
The undoubted and only advantage of “Apparent Love” are the picturesque landscapes of Italy. Beautiful shots of Positano and Miseno near Naples show rocky coastlines, pastel buildings and sunny beaches, giving the whole thing a postcard charm. These views are the main attraction of the production, allowing the viewer to feel the atmosphere of Italian luxury and southern carefreeness, while the plot and dialogues unfortunately leave a lot to be desired.
The narrative in “Apparent Love” is simply tiresomely long-winded – as if someone didn’t quite know what to put into the series’ six episodes. The story unfolds lazily and is definitely tiring. There is a lack of well-written dialogues. The creators probably tried to make up for the shortcomings with a lot of slow motion shots, which only unnecessarily lengthen the viewing. I understand that Italy looks great, but how much can a tragic scenario be masked with beautiful views and luxurious interiors?
Glamorous scenery is not enough to attract attention when the main events are sluggish and emotionless. Ultimately, nothing happens here and the story’s potential is completely wasted. The plot could easily be fit into one 90-minute film, and instead it was extended into a series whose unnecessary extension can be felt from the first episode.
The attempt to create an atmosphere of mystery is also extremely artificial. Every supposed twist is so uninspiring that nothing arouses any emotion. The impression the series leaves is more like a chaotic soap opera than a passionate and tense romance. And to make matters worse, the finale is so bland that it’s hard to believe anyone could look forward to it with excitement.
Unfortunately, the series doesn’t impress with its acting either. The characters seem stiff and a no outfit is expressive enough to attract attention. This is especially visible with the main character – Gabriella, who was supposed to be a strong, lively woman trying to rediscover herself. Instead, we watch her graceless struggle with her emotions, resembling more hysterical behavior than real struggles with her past. She’s hard to like, which takes away from the character of the entire series. Elia, a supposedly charismatic young man, is reduced to a one-dimensional character whose main feature is beauty. The rest of the characters don’t contribute much, playing the role of observers who are supposedly plotting something, but in the end nothing comes of it.
The views themselves, although beautiful, are definitely not enough to save this series. Although the locations are chosen on a grand scale, the photos are not impressive, and the scenery is only used to emphasize “luxury”, which, unfortunately, remains meaningless. The splendor of the place is completely lost when the story and characters fail to keep the viewer’s interest. I understand that the Italian miniseries was included in Netflix’s top list due to the word “romance”, but don’t be fooled by the skillfully written announcement of the production mentioned earlier. I’m putting “Appearing Love” into the “worst Netflix productions” category. I give two points for well-selected locations and clever marketing, but stay away from this nightmare.
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