Vanessa,played by Janine Turner was lacking in emotion, a bit too controlled for the circumstances she found herself in, an Paudge Brennan who played, Bill Fitzgerald, was annoying. His mannerism and voice was unrealistic. Yes I can understand someone being cocky and confident but he was annoying and was just rattling off his lines. And Vennessa's, husband to be, threw just one Luke warm tantrum when she broke, what should have be shattering news. I know they were governed by Barbara Taylor Bradfords script but(apart from a few kissing scenes) the whole thing lacked real passion and human emotion just too wooden and controlled. What I did love was the locations, especially Venice one of my favorite places and the scenes, background music, and camera work was good.. And I loved the little girl who played Bill daughter, Sarah Bolger. She was impressive for her age, only 8 when the movie was made (She starred in the movie,"In America" 3 years later, another great performance). And well, Finnula Flanagan who played Bills mother, was good, without being great. All in all a watch-able movie, but for me it was more for the locations and to a lesser extent the story, than the acting.
20 Reviews
fun, fun, fun
moviegoer11 December 1999
Ok, so this movie is kind of hokey. But I still loved it. Janine Turner is beautiful, the Irish guy was a real dish and most charming. It's not deep, it didn't make me think. But for me, it was entertaining and fun. I've watched it several times.
Quite a little romantic saga.
phd_travel5 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The scenery is pretty and so is Janine Turner. The guy isn't quite romantic lead looks wise.
A buyer for a store is about to be married to a boring financial guy. On a trip to Venice she meets an Irish conflict reporter and they fall passionately in love. The romance is a bit icky at first. Anyway she breaks up with her nice boyfriend and heads to Europe. The reporter is taken hostage in the Yugoslav conflict. Things get more exciting.
Anyway there is a happy ending. Just takes some time to get there.
A buyer for a store is about to be married to a boring financial guy. On a trip to Venice she meets an Irish conflict reporter and they fall passionately in love. The romance is a bit icky at first. Anyway she breaks up with her nice boyfriend and heads to Europe. The reporter is taken hostage in the Yugoslav conflict. Things get more exciting.
Anyway there is a happy ending. Just takes some time to get there.
A great visual feast and touching love story
crisostomos3 November 1999
This movie, aired on an off night of tv and came as a complete surprise to me. I am not one to search out these kind of movies or even watch them. But I couldn't help it. The scenes of Venice were a feast for the senses, and the story was a touching one without being too sappy, like most movies of this kind. The characters involved do not fit the mold of those typically involved in romantic films, they are actually intelligent people with substance. I liked the movie so much I actually regret that I didn't tape it. Hopefully others will enjoy th
I wouldn't bother watching...
imdb-1828211 November 2007
Where do I start? This was bad on so many levels. First off, the story was, well, boring. I don't mean because it lacked action - it was a love story after all, but it was just blah. The characters were not likable. We (my wife and I) couldn't empathize with them at all. The acting was mediocre and stiff. The cinematography was amateurish with lots of harsh back lighting, even during intimate moments that you would expect to be soft and gentle. The story was entirely and oh so predictable with, again, amateurish aspects that rendered it entirely unrealistic, and worst of all was the sound track. The dialog was difficult to hear and understand to begin with but they overlaid a CONSTANT musical score that was mostly out of place and rendered the dialog even more difficult to hear.
I think I could have done better with my digital camera and PC than the folks did with this one....
I think I could have done better with my digital camera and PC than the folks did with this one....
So bad I was embarrassed watching it
blazer-427 October 1999
I thought that it would get better, but a bad movie only got worse. At several points I actually was embarrassed for the movie while watching it, but you know how "time invested" goes. I kept hoping that it might get better. The acting was horrible, with the lone exception being Janine Turner who was great. Unfortunately, she was surrounded my incompetent actors/actresses and an obviously horrible Director.
beautiful Venice and love story
spark-1311 July 2005
The location shooting in Venice was awesome. The production company took time to scout out new locales in the city. Dublin was scenic as well. The love story as well as the relationships between some of the characters was a bit rushed but it worked well enough. The characters were not stereotypical. Finally, a beautiful woman (leading lady) finding romance or seeking her lover in Europe and she can pack one bag for travel and wear sensible clothes and comfortable shoes! The actors were first rate including the veteran Fionnula Flanagan who played Bill's mother. Kudos especially to Janine Turner, as always, for her portrayal of a woman in conflict with her own heart and needing to be herself. Paudge Behan has not been seen in another film since or has he? Finally, I just saw this film via DVD which my sister purchased for me online (because of the Venice location). So it is available for anyone who would like to see it again and did not tape it!
Not good - avoid at all costs
Zorric3 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Dreadful acting, unbelievable story line which became even more incredible once our hero went off to war, very low budget scenes in the "Balkans" (filmed in Ireland with a cast of, oh, nearly 20). But then it was made for TV, which is the only reason I give it 3 stars. I must also tell you that my wife loved it.
Check out the scene on the bridge in Venice where she is deciding which way to go for some of the worst acting you have ever seen.
Marvel that she could fall for his corny lines at all.
Despair that the extremely unlikely ending you predicted so early on, is the one they actually use.
Check out the scene on the bridge in Venice where she is deciding which way to go for some of the worst acting you have ever seen.
Marvel that she could fall for his corny lines at all.
Despair that the extremely unlikely ending you predicted so early on, is the one they actually use.
Given the opportunity, I will watch this movie dozens of times.
cilla-38 November 1999
I found this to be a beautiful story about relationships. I thought there was wonderful acting, photography and directing and a moving love story. It was great to see the relationships develop and deepen. There seemed to be a thread of being true to oneself through it all.
I found this a very offensive movie.
TxMike13 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Saw it on Netflix streaming video.
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of Janine Turner. A loved her as Maggie, the pilot, in the old and great TV series "Northern Exposure." She is pretty and sweet.
In this movie she plays Vanessa Shaw, working in the family business as a buyer, often she goes to far away places to find things to bring back for sale in their business. On this trip she goes to Venice.
And this is where the whole thing became de-railed for me. She is enjoying a water taxi ride when a man comes up to her, Paudge Behan as the very obnoxious Bill Fitzgerald, reporter. He comes on to her strongly, and she makes feeble deflections of his advances and very quickly they end up in bed, in her hotel room.
But Vanessa is engaged to be married! Her beau also works in the family business. He is by all indications a very nice and thoughtful man. While she may not be head-over-heels in love with him, she has decided to marry him. So the whole scenario of falling for this horny cad in a matter of hours and ending up in bed with him was just so inane that the rest of the movie didn't matter to me. Maybe it is the kind of fantasy that some women like to see, but not for me.
The whole story is of course about breaking free of the cords that bind you, to pursue what you really want to do. In Vanessa's case it was for fulfillment as an artist, and to find a man she really was in love with. But the way the story gets there is distasteful to me.
Maggie, I would have never thought!
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of Janine Turner. A loved her as Maggie, the pilot, in the old and great TV series "Northern Exposure." She is pretty and sweet.
In this movie she plays Vanessa Shaw, working in the family business as a buyer, often she goes to far away places to find things to bring back for sale in their business. On this trip she goes to Venice.
And this is where the whole thing became de-railed for me. She is enjoying a water taxi ride when a man comes up to her, Paudge Behan as the very obnoxious Bill Fitzgerald, reporter. He comes on to her strongly, and she makes feeble deflections of his advances and very quickly they end up in bed, in her hotel room.
But Vanessa is engaged to be married! Her beau also works in the family business. He is by all indications a very nice and thoughtful man. While she may not be head-over-heels in love with him, she has decided to marry him. So the whole scenario of falling for this horny cad in a matter of hours and ending up in bed with him was just so inane that the rest of the movie didn't matter to me. Maybe it is the kind of fantasy that some women like to see, but not for me.
The whole story is of course about breaking free of the cords that bind you, to pursue what you really want to do. In Vanessa's case it was for fulfillment as an artist, and to find a man she really was in love with. But the way the story gets there is distasteful to me.
Maggie, I would have never thought!
Wonderful & Endearing
marshfamily322 February 2007
I saw this movie for the first time recently, it is one of those that you can watch over and over again, nice romantic, get away movie. Paudgh Behan although it is not an acting feat he should be in more of these movies, he really is good. He makes a wonderful leading man for the romantic drama'a for a TV movie he made the character very believable and one that can make you feel that there are still good guys left around. Janine Turner is her usual wonderful self, I have enjoyed her in pretty much everything she has been in. The only problem with this movie is that it is not long enough, this could easily been a mini-series, they had to cover to much in a TV movie time frame. Helena's part was played by the wonderful Sarah Bolger, she is always a charm to watch. There are a couple of bloopers that are discreet, there are probably more the two I noticed are when Vanessa arrives in Dublin first and goes into the house from outside when she closes the door behind her, there is a curtain hanging up, it is still there when Bill arrives, the other is when Bill is shot, the bottoms of his shoes are perfectly clean, he most have put them on that morning!
Even though it has been 8 years would love to see a follow up just as romantic with Bill, Vanessa & Helena as a family of course Bill's mother, possibly with a child of their own. We need more movies like this they just make us feel good and in this day in time that is something we can all use!
Even though it has been 8 years would love to see a follow up just as romantic with Bill, Vanessa & Helena as a family of course Bill's mother, possibly with a child of their own. We need more movies like this they just make us feel good and in this day in time that is something we can all use!
Romantic
dooku_dragos10 October 2005
The movie is just splendid! it has all you need for a romantic movie, the only thing that i "didn't like" was that the subject was "used" already or you know what will happened when you seen him that he goes in that dangerous mission. Any way its super romantic!both actors are beautiful. The title is perfect.I really want to see a second part of this movie something where we can see they're family , they're second love plus the love of Bill Fitzgerald's daughter or something , the place where the film was made is wonderful as well.The location is so romantic ... this film it has all what it needs to be a perfect romantic movie
I hope there will be more quality made-for-TV movies in the future.
mikecarolyn3 December 1999
I am so glad I taped this movie. I have watched it over and over again! Janine Turner was excellent as well as her co-star Paudge Behan, whom I have never seen before and would like more information regarding his biography. Janine gets more beautiful with age and I was so impressed with Paudge Behan. This was a wonderful love story. I love happy endings!After seeing this movie I checked out the book and read it and was surprised at how different the book was compared to the movie. However, I tend to like the movie version better than the book. Would love to see more of Janine & Paudge in the future. The scenery was lovely in Venice and Dublin as well!
Worthwhile film
caa82130 January 2007
I liked "Northern Exposure," but wasn't as enthralled with it as many of my acquaintances. I found a lot of its characters tiresome, the exceptions being Barry Corbin, and especially Janine Turner.
I had not seen her that I recall since the series went off-air, until happening upon this flick.
This may not be "War and Peace," "Dr. Zhivago," or "Casablanca," but I found it enjoyable, especially due to Ms. Turner, and also Brendan Behan's son, a credible, engaging actor, whom I'd never seen prior.
Regarding some of the other comments I've seen here, the Venice scenes were outstanding, although it did seem the "Balkans" part was filmed a bit "on the cheap."
However, a worthwhile, entertaining presentation.
I had not seen her that I recall since the series went off-air, until happening upon this flick.
This may not be "War and Peace," "Dr. Zhivago," or "Casablanca," but I found it enjoyable, especially due to Ms. Turner, and also Brendan Behan's son, a credible, engaging actor, whom I'd never seen prior.
Regarding some of the other comments I've seen here, the Venice scenes were outstanding, although it did seem the "Balkans" part was filmed a bit "on the cheap."
However, a worthwhile, entertaining presentation.
This story was lovely romance. The photography was excellent.
macpherr2 November 1999
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very well done television movie. Vanessa Stewart is a beautiful American woman engaged to be married. Vanessa is an artist and is also a buyer for her father's company. She goes to Venice on a business trip and meets television reporter Bill Fitzgerald from Ireland. They fall madly in love in the four days they are in Venice. Venice is just a beautiful place. This is a very nice tour of the city. Vanessa realizes, because of him that she would rather be an artist than a business person. She comes back to the States, and he invites her to meet in Ireland. There she meets his mother and daughter. Vanessa comes back to the U.S. and breaks her engagement. Bill and Vanessa are supposed to meet again in Venice. Bill is on assignment in a war zone and is kidnaped by looters. There is a ransom to be paid, but nobody shows up to get the ransom money. A severely burned and unrecognizable body was found in a church nearby where the exchange of the money was to take place. Bill is presumed dead. The body found was not the body of Bill but the body of one of the looters who was wearing Bill's watch and ring. He escapes and returns to home to his mother, daughter and Vanessa. I was reading at Amazon.com about the book in which this movie was based. The teleplay seems to have a different ending. I enjoyed the movie very much. This story was lovely romance. The photography was excellent.
Good movie, wife loved it
mattg-090015 September 2023
We found this movie at an estate sale. My wife was elated since she been unable to find it anywhere.
I honestly am not a fan of Janine Turner but had seen Paudge Behan in Veronica Guerin and found his acting excellent.
The movie was your typical romance. However Paudge Behan and the at times arrogant Ms Turner made it work.
My wife and I were both hoping for a sequel.
Need to see Paudge in more action movies. His talent is very sadly unrecognized.
My wife lived the romance parts. Luckily we found two, still sealed and unopened. So she will be happy for quite a while and will wear one out!
I honestly am not a fan of Janine Turner but had seen Paudge Behan in Veronica Guerin and found his acting excellent.
The movie was your typical romance. However Paudge Behan and the at times arrogant Ms Turner made it work.
My wife and I were both hoping for a sequel.
Need to see Paudge in more action movies. His talent is very sadly unrecognized.
My wife lived the romance parts. Luckily we found two, still sealed and unopened. So she will be happy for quite a while and will wear one out!
The scenery in Venice is worth the price of admission.
bettiem20 April 2004
The love story is the usual: woman ,caught in commitment at
home, finds "true" love on trip to Venice and then Dublin. Fionella
Flanagan as the true love's Mother is wonderful as always. But
the photography of Venice is breathtaking. I could not believe how
beautiful all the well known scenes of Venice,plus some areas I
had never seen, were presented. I'd give it a 7 based on the photography.. She merits a 6 for acting,
he merits a 6.5 with Irish accent. Story: does she or doesn't she? Wait and see. This story is based on a book by Barbara Bradford. It is a romance
and will be appreciated more by women than the average man, but
there are a few romantic men out there, thank goodness,
home, finds "true" love on trip to Venice and then Dublin. Fionella
Flanagan as the true love's Mother is wonderful as always. But
the photography of Venice is breathtaking. I could not believe how
beautiful all the well known scenes of Venice,plus some areas I
had never seen, were presented. I'd give it a 7 based on the photography.. She merits a 6 for acting,
he merits a 6.5 with Irish accent. Story: does she or doesn't she? Wait and see. This story is based on a book by Barbara Bradford. It is a romance
and will be appreciated more by women than the average man, but
there are a few romantic men out there, thank goodness,
I liked it!!!
Debjuh4 July 2002
I didn't read the book. Only saw the movie the day before yesterday. And I liked it!!! It's just a thing were I can think of the whole day. Fall in love wanted to marry then find some one better. Sounds a little bit stupid but I'm a dreamer. I love movies like this and I hope others too. Actually I like Paudge Behan he's so cute. And he plays very good. And you Jay I don't get it. Why are you watching a movie you just don't like?? Only to give bad comments. Or cause you really aren't interested in this movie. Well maybe I get my answer a day. But people it's a very good movie and what Jay finds I don't care. I hope you are going to watch it too!! Bye bye kisses Deborah
Watch this to learn how NOT to make a film.
specht_mark24 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Janine Turner is stunningly beautiful, as always. It was great to see parts of Venice I've never seen shot before. Compliments: concluded.
I'm not sure how Bobby Roth has a directing career after this film. I suppose most of the budget was swallowed by airfare. We're never really sold on why Vanessa is engaged in the first place. Her dialogue chemistry with Paudge Behan's Bill Fitzgerald is unconvincing. The visual and sound cut at the end of one act is particularly poorly timed. Turner's performance is really below her capabilities, which also reflects poorly on the director and editor (the latter responsible for the terrible "Just Cause").
***SPOLIER ALERT***
Honestly, was there no practical special effects budget for a squib or two? The scene to which I refer is remarkable unconvincing, comes out of nowhere, and we're never really set up for it in the film. Did someone really say, "Hey, this'll work" for that scene? Bill Fitzgerald is not of "The Year of Living Dangerously."
***
Next time, production company, hire a good director, hire more than one good actor, and give them a little more money to get this right. This made-for-TV movie was bloody poor. Well, not bloody...
This basic plot has a lot of great potential, but my goodness, dear viewer, watch a different film.
I'm not sure how Bobby Roth has a directing career after this film. I suppose most of the budget was swallowed by airfare. We're never really sold on why Vanessa is engaged in the first place. Her dialogue chemistry with Paudge Behan's Bill Fitzgerald is unconvincing. The visual and sound cut at the end of one act is particularly poorly timed. Turner's performance is really below her capabilities, which also reflects poorly on the director and editor (the latter responsible for the terrible "Just Cause").
***SPOLIER ALERT***
Honestly, was there no practical special effects budget for a squib or two? The scene to which I refer is remarkable unconvincing, comes out of nowhere, and we're never really set up for it in the film. Did someone really say, "Hey, this'll work" for that scene? Bill Fitzgerald is not of "The Year of Living Dangerously."
***
Next time, production company, hire a good director, hire more than one good actor, and give them a little more money to get this right. This made-for-TV movie was bloody poor. Well, not bloody...
This basic plot has a lot of great potential, but my goodness, dear viewer, watch a different film.
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