Overview
An Italian fashion student on exchange in London becomes involved with an older, sophisticated woman in a lighthearted romantic comedy that embraces soap opera elements.
The film feels as long as a year, with moments of soap opera silliness, romantic longing, and occasionally wooden dialogue delivered as if translated by Google, which nonetheless provide some entertainment.
Plot Summary
Olivia (Nina Pons) is a young fashion student from southern Italy who earns the opportunity to spend a year studying at the "London Academy of Couture" in South Kensington, a glamorous part of the UK capital. Olivia, characterized by her wide-eyed innocence, is notably surprised by the sight of two men kissing. Back home, she is nearly engaged to Paolo (Matteo Bassi), a wealthy young man from her hometown, though it soon becomes apparent that Paolo's character may not be as admirable as it seems.
Upon attending her first lecture in London, a clear spark ignites between Olivia and her sophisticated professor, Nina (Melanie Liburd). The two attend a party together where they experience a mugging—highlighting a portrayal of London as a dangerous and lawless city. Following this event, both Nina and Olivia lie in their separate beds, smiling and squirming with their eyes closed, each thinking about the other, illustrating the emotional impact of their shared experience.
Subsequently, Nina and Olivia travel to a fashion convention in Rome, which Nina describes as a "great networking opportunity" for Olivia. Despite sharing champagne in Nina's hotel room, they refrain from becoming physically intimate due to Nina's professional reservations about engaging with a student.
Meanwhile, Paolo causes various troubles, adding tension to the storyline. Throughout these events, Nina expresses interest in a local outreach project for young people, saying to Olivia,
"I'd love to introduce you to the kids at the community centre ..."The line hints at a possible Anglo-Italian cultural nuance.
