Little Italy (2018)

Little Italy is a warm, crowd-pleasing rom-com that knows exactly what it’s serving: a fizzy, comfort-food story of old sparks reigniting amid the delicious chaos of family pride and neighborhood tradition. Set against rival pizzerias and a tight-knit Toronto enclave, it leans into playful banter, breezy chemistry, and that cozy, slightly heightened vibe where love feels inevitable even when the adults are being ridiculous. Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen give the film an easy charm, and Donald Petrie keeps the pace light, sweet, and often genuinely funny without turning mean-spirited. If you’re craving a smart, edgy deconstruction of romance, this isn’t that—but if you want an affectionate, low-stakes date-night movie with plenty of heart (and a little spice), it hits the spot.

Little Italy is trying to be a warm, old-school rom-com with a “Romeo and Juliet, but make it pizza” hook, and you can feel it aiming for cozy neighborhood charm and easy chemistry. The problem is it plays like a greatest-hits playlist of romantic-comedy clichés, with broad, cartoonish characters and cultural stereotypes that can make the whole thing feel dated rather than affectionate. If you’re allergic to extra-cheesy banter, predictable beats, and sitcom-level feuding played at full volume, this will likely test your patience. On the plus side, Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen are likable enough, and if you want something lightweight to half-watch while craving carbs, it might still go down fine.