("Closer I Get to My Dreams" playing)
Downloaded from YTS.BZ
♪ I smell the salt in the air down the California coast ♪
♪ And it's so nice ♪
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.BZ
♪ There ain't nothing at all that can get me down ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm living it up on this merry-go-round ♪
♪ I feel so alive ♪
♪ Yeah, I'm letting go, I'm living my life. ♪
♪ ♪
Hey, cuz.
I come bearing gifts.
Maddie, it is 9:14 in the morning.
It is never too early for ice cream.
Besides, when you've been up since 4:00 with a baby,
this already feels past lunch.
Oh, my gosh.
This is why I love being a food-focused agency.
Oh, come on, you can't say no.
Okay, fine, you win.
Mmm.
That is so good.
(Maddie sighs heavily)
I know what your business brain is thinking.
Oh, you mean you flying to Italy, on our dime,
to rescue some struggling company
and go on some wild-goose chase before they even renew our contract.
Gee, what is my business brain thinking?
That it's a bad idea?
I know that you've spent weeks on this campaign, but...
Weeks?
Mads, Luca spent the last 50 years building up the Russo brand in the U.S.
He was able to take his small family name and make it global.
I'm not just gonna let that die.
Besides, they're our biggest client. We need them.
Without the green light from Tuscany,
you know the U.S. board is never gonna approve a total rebrand.
Makes more sense for them to tighten the belt
and tear up our contract when it expires next month.
That's why I need to go there myself.
I can get the Italians' attention.
How? By skywriting over Tuscany?
I won't have to.
My source has told me exactly who I need to find.
This is Luca's sister, Francesca Russo,
now the sole heir to the Russo family.
And she still owns the original Trattoria, on Tuscan family land.
This is exactly what the brand is missing.
We lean into this, go full origin story.
The whole campaign is about her being the new face of Russo's Pasta Sauce.
She's the heartbeat.
Real roots. Real women. Real sauce.
All right.
It's worth a shot.
(laughs): Let's do this.
-(squeals happily) -(laughing)
(phone chimes)
-Ooh. That's my ride. -Okay.
Call me when you get there, and have a safe flight.
Ciao.
And if you happen to stumble upon a ridiculously handsome Italian guy,
don't overthink it.
-(chuckles) -Bye, Mads.
(sighs)
("Welcome to Italy" by Dario Ferrante and Marcello Massa playing)
♪ ♪
(bell tolls in distance)
ISABELLA: Roberto insisted that I give compliments to the chef.
He said the tagliatelle speciale is magnifico.
Ah, grazie.
It's a total prima donna, but so is the porcini cream.
Knocks it out of the park... every time.
"The park"?
Is this another American expression?
Ah, for someone who claims never think about home,
home makes its way into the conversation a lot.
(sighs) Look, maybe I'm linguistically nostalgic, but that's it.
(chuckles) I'll have you know
I've gone a whole month without saying "piece of cake."
Wow. Progresso.
You're basically Italian.
The sass I have to deal with.
ISABELLA: Yeah.
If sass worried you, you would have left after your first espresso.
Eh, good point.
But for the record, I'm not going back.
Not now. Not ever.
(crickets chirping)
Well?
-(sets spoon in pan) -It's not right.
It still needs...
-(mouthing) -...something.
("La donna è mobile" by Giuseppe Verdi playing, lyrics in Italian)
(birds chirping)
(bell tolling in distance)
-(busy chattering) -(bell continues tolling)
♪ ♪
(camera clicks)
(line ringing)
(baby cooing)
-(sighs) -(phone chiming)
(gasps) It's her.
-Hey, you. -Hello.
Hi.
Guys...
welcome to Tuscany!
MADDIE: Oh, my gosh, that looks amazing.
Look at those cute buskers.
They're adorable.
Right? It feels like a dream.
-Whoa! -(Mason grunts)
(song ends with flourish)
Lo? Lo...
-are you okay? -(spitting)
I am so, so sorry.
(grunting)
Uh, are you okay?
-Yeah. -You speak English?
Oh, thank goodness.
(laughs): You just came out of nowhere.
Me? You're the one on your phone.
R-Right. I mean...
(whispering): Guys, I'm gonna call you back, okay?
(baby cooing quietly)
(chuckles)
Are you sure you're okay?
I'll be fine.
I should go, then.
Again, I'm so, so sorry. So sorry.
(short laugh)
(birds chirping)
(exhales)
(grunts)
♪ ♪
(speaking quietly in Italian)
Ciao. Ciao.
LAUREN: Isabella?
Hi. It's-it's me, Lauren.
-Sì, l'americana. -Yeah. Oh.
Benvenuta. Mwah.
I'm so excited to be here.
It's so rustic.
I'm in love already.
-Come, come. -Okay.
-I'll take it. -Oh.
Thank you so much.
LAUREN: I-I can't believe I'm here, honestly.
-It's my first time in Italy. -(Isabella laughs)
LAUREN: (gasps) Okay.
I'm obsessed.
You must be starving.
-Yeah. -(chuckles)
Is this Francesca?
ISABELLA: Sì.
Apparently very precocious, even as a bambina.
(chuckles): Bambina. I love it.
I can't wait to meet her.
I-I just want to learn everything about her.
I was actually thinking
maybe we can get some footage of her cooking?
Is something wrong?
(hesitantly): Uh, Francesca, she's not coming.
But when we talked, you said that she was here often.
Sì, sì, she's here, but...
How do I say without disrespect?
Uh, she has made herself unaccessible.
Today? That's fine. I'm super flexible.
Ah, ah, not only today.
I told her you were coming after we DM'd,
and I assumed she'd be okay with it, but...
she wants no association with the tinned sauce at all.
Wait, what?
She only told me today, and you were already on your flight.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting her to be so stubborn.
She has never refused a guest before.
Scusi, I feel terrible you come all this way.
Maybe there are some other things I can help you plan during your stay.
Look, she is the new face of the Russo Pasta brand.
I promise you, she'll love it.
It's very doubtful. She's never cared for brands.
But she is the brand.
Luca and Francesca were very close,
but their philosophies were very different.
Francesca believes that the sauce should be made from scratch.
Ingredients and family recipes handed down through generations.
To-to mass produce it in a factory would be a ridicule.
-A mockery. -(scoffs)
Amore, please don't take it personally.
It's not your fault.
She just cannot support a sluggish pasta sauce.
"Sluggish"?
Look, millions of Americans would disagree with you.
The Russo name means little to her anymore.
The-the Trattoria is her true love, kept alive for sentiment.
LAUREN: Okay.
It's just a minor setback.
All I have to do is come up with a new rebrand.
How hard could it be?
Look at where I am.
(typing)
♪ ♪
(sighs)
Mmm.
Oh, wow.
(sighs)
This is the most sublime pizza I've ever tasted.
-It's my girlfriend's favorite. -(chuckles): It makes sense.
I mean, the crust, the cheese, the ham that doesn't taste like ham.
Magnifico. I will give compliments to the chef.
Please do.
The chef.
Of course. Okay...
what if I team up with the chef for a few days?
I can get all the inspiration I need
just being around the food, the people, the culture.
You know, the Trattoria is as much the heart of this story.
Meravigliosa. You can still do your job, just in a different way.
M-Maybe Francesca will come around. You never know.
(door opens)
Hey, uh, Bella, I was thinking that, uh, we...
-You. -You.
What are you doing here?
I'm the chef.
ISABELLA: You've already met?
Benissimo. It's settled, then.
Uh, what's settled?
-(bell tolling in distance) -(crickets chirping)
LAUREN: Turns out, he's from the West Coast.
-And you'll never guess... -MADDIE: Never guess what?
He's also the head chef.
From what I saw, he was pretty cute.
(scoffs): I hadn't even noticed.
Well, I'm sure he noticed you.
Even when you're jet-lagged, you're charming.
Speaking of charming,
you have got to see this place.
It's literally like something out of a freaking movie.
If you open that closet and find matching slippers to the robe
you've got on, I will literally lose it.
And it also smells like fresh flowers
everywhere.
I mean, you know how much I love crunching numbers,
but I got to admit, you're living the dream.
Yeah, except now that Francesca's
completely blown me off,
I now have to redesign a whole new campaign.
Hey, at least the chef's agreed to help.
Maybe.
I just have to prove that I'm more than just another tourist here
sticking out like a sore thumb.
And you're gonna do that by?
Becoming more italiano, of course.
-(chuckles) -Everybody here gets dressed up.
Like, and the women are so glamorous.
And the guys, super stylish.
Ooh la la.
-Oui, oui, oui. -Girl, that is French.
-(both laughing) -Touché.
(birds chirping)
(rooster crowing)
I don't like being ambushed like this, Bella.
Per favore.
She's passionate and obviously molto bene at her job.
Why not help her out?
I don't have time for it.
Give her a chance.
She wants to create something meaningful.
Meaningful? About tinned sauce?
Trust me, I've tried the stuff back home-- it's not the same.
Well, she grew up with it. It means a lot to her.
I know her type.
She's all hashtags and highlight reels,
and that's not what we're about here and you know it.
Then show her what we're about.
-She'll just get in the way. -Promise...
-(Lauren gasps) -(Mason scoffs)
Ciao?
High heels don't belong in the kitchen.
(sighs) Grazie.
LAUREN: So, how long you been in Italy?
Uh, about two years now.
-(phone beeps) -Hmm, I'm jealous.
Have you ever seen the movie Under the Tuscan Sun?
Paolo...
mozzarella, per favore.
Sì, chef.
(blender whirring)
(camera clicks)
(Lauren laughs)
-Just like Trader Joe's, only cuter. -(camera clicks)
(camera clicks)
Is that Russo's Pasta Sauce?
That...
(sauce bubbling)
...is Russo's real pasta sauce, passed down through generations.
(sniffs)
Smells just as good as the tins back home.
-Tinned? -Yeah.
Okay, that's enough.
Service starts in 30 minutes.
-You need to go. -Okay, but just...
No, no, no. Out, please.
Thank you.
How am I supposed to create content for a food campaign
when he won't let me near the food?
Doesn't he get it? I'm here to help.
Typically, it's a chef's job to be a bruto.
-(chuckles quietly) -Don't take it personally.
He'll come around.
(chuckles quietly)
(dog barking in distance)
-Signora. -Ciao.
You're still here.
Haven't given up yet, huh?
You know, contrary to what you may think, I'm only doing my job.
Which is just as important as yours, actually.
So all I need is for you to let me get on with it, okay?
And another thing.
Russo's Pasta Sauce?
Sure, it's sold in a tin can,
but it holds a special place in millions of people's hearts,
including mine.
And as a chef, you should appreciate that.
Okay.
Okay...?
You make a fair point.
Oh.
Well, good.
Does this mean...?
Yes, I will help you with your project.
Only if you lose the phone.
Not gonna happen.
I thought you wanted to create something meaningful here.
Yeah, and I need to document it with my camera.
That's not a real camera.
Look, I just need to get the content, okay?
It's part of my job.
What we do here is not about content.
It's about connecting.
That's not bad. Did you just come up with that yourself?
You're welcome to use my real camera anytime.
-Fine. -Great.
We'll see you back here bright and early.
-Bring a bag. -For what?
Market day.
You got it, chef.
(door closes)
(laughs softly)
♪ ♪
LAUREN: So, I'm guessing you're a regular around here.
MASON: Yeah, you could say that.
Francesca's had a tab here for years.
This place is so gorgeous.
(Mason scoffs)
Okay, if you're so against social media, how do you attract new customers?
It just happens organically.
You ever been on a hike, gone off the beaten path,
ended up somewhere unexpected like a waterfall or a lake?
Mm, ended up in a Zumba class once.
Wasn't planned, definitely not organic.
So what are you hoping to get out of all of this?
(sighs)
I just want to create a fresh new campaign
that really represents what the sauce meant to me growing up.
You know, the magic it makes people feel.
Not just like a can on the shelf.
You don't often see brands caring about people.
LAUREN: They should.
Brands give a sense of belonging.
They make memories between friends and families.
Memories that last forever.
Mm. Here.
Fragola.
-Hmm. -From Londa.
See, with good food, you can actually taste where it's from.
This is so sweet.
Mm-hmm, right?
Oh, my gosh.
Definitely the best strawberry I've ever had.
Hold up. This could go viral, I'm just saying.
They will literally package this in stores back home.
(Mason groans)
It could make a lot of money.
Here.
Lavender or pistachio?
Mm...
Thank you.
Mmm.
Oh, my goodness.
The crunch without the crumbs.
Mm-hmm. They call that "the polite crunch."
-Mmm. -Caffè?
Mm. Almond Americano, grande, frappe.
Uh, per favore.
"Per favare"? "Per fav..."?
-Mm, you got it. -(laughs quietly)
(quietly): So good.
Is everything back home as complicated as your coffee?
(chuckles)
Having choices isn't a bad thing.
Ask the macarons.
Espresso.
Radical in its simplicity.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
(both chuckle)
Mmm.
-Mm-hmm? -Mm-hmm.
That's really good.
I'm not mad.
(door opens)
Ah, buongiorno, Francesca.
Uh, meet Lauren.
-L'americana Brand Pantry. -LAUREN (quietly): Hi.
Francesca, it is such a pleasure to meet you.
Your reputation precedes you.
Your Trattoria, your family.
I'm in awe.
Eh, um...
I-I've been getting to know the Trattoria,
and the markets and it's really been...
(door closes)
Should I follow her?
Uh, what did she say?
(sighs)
Uh, it's an Italian expression.
Very difficult to translate.
Yeah, she's an enigma.
Oh.
(low chatter)
"Grazee."
It's grazie.
"Grat-see-ay."
I'll-I'll work on it.
All right, my station, your station. Sì?
Sì, chef.
Potato gnocchi.
First, you chop potatoes.
Whoa.
-Okay, where are we putting those? -That goes into this.
Yep.
MASON: Put your potato in like this.
Ooh, those are hot.
Then you're going to squeeze it out.
(strained grunting)
That's it. Good. Yep.
Pepper.
Salt.
Uh, not too mu--
That'll do.
-Flour. -One cup of flour.
Easy like that.
LAUREN: Oh, sh...
Okay, if I miss some, do I just add a little bit?
-Just throw a little bit more. It's fine. -Okay, just a little...
(laughs): You're gonna crack this in two.
Right? You're gonna catch the yolk like this.
Gentle. That's it.
Okay, then create like a little...
(laughs)
-Take that off. All right, good. -Okay.
-Put that in here? -And that goes in there.
Then we massage.
Okay.
♪ ♪
LAUREN: Wow.
This did not go to plan.
MASON: Hmm.
(laughs): Great.
My humiliation immortalized on film.
35 millimeter.
Adds to the drama.
You don't really see traditional film cameras much these days.
This was my grandfather's.
You'd be amazed at some of the beautiful shots
he used to capture with this old thing.
And now it's being used to capture this.
Don't beat yourself up, all right? It takes years of practice.
I mean, I'm still trying to crack the perfect gnocchi recipe.
I'm not there yet.
Needs that little special something,
but it'll be good, mark my words.
Wow.
-Man on a mission, huh? -Eh.
(sighs)
Seeing things play behind the scenes here has just been really helpful.
It's so authentic.
(scoffs)
What? What did I say?
It's just, folks around here get a little tired
when tourists come and call their lives authentic.
It just feels hollow, you know?
Oh, I see.
Well, how's...
unprocessed?
Or raw?
-Oh, okay, I see. Mm. -(chuckles)
-How's that for authentic? -(coughs)
(both laughing)
("Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici" by Giuseppe Verdi playing, lyrics in Italian)
(song ends)
MADDIE (recorded): Hey, it's me.
I just got off the phone with the Russo board in New York.
Definitely getting the vibe they're gonna kill our contract.
So... how's the new campaign coming along?
Going great.
Because meaningful storytelling just comes out of thin air.
(sighs)
(gentle Italian music playing in distance)
-(gentle Italian music continues) -(birds chirping)
♪ ♪
(people speaking Italian)
(song ends with flourish)
-WOMAN: Ah, bravo. -(speaking Italian)
All right.
Tipico turista.
Bella musica. Grazie.
Thank you. Thank you.
Bye.
("Sunkissed in Sorrento" by Dario Ferrante and Marcello Massa playing)
So, I hear you're making your mark on my family's business.
So you do speak English.
Of course I speak English.
What do you think, I have spaghetti for brains?
Well, tell me,
what's all your fussing over this tomato sauce?
Your brother Luca, he had a real passion for the U.S. company, and...
And now he's gone, there's no one to hand it down to.
So do you think you owe it to him to save it?
Well, it's not just about Luca.
When I was a kid, the first meal me and my cousin learned how to make
was spaghetti with Russo's sauce.
Kept us fed more times than I can count.
Not to mention, 50 years in the business.
-That's a big deal. -Ooh, 50 years.
Oh, no, no, no.
In America maybe, but my family started farming on Toscana soil a century ago.
We are 100 years old this year.
100 years?
I had no idea.
Congratulations!
"Toscana soil.
100 years."
Authenticity.
Ah, this word, "authenticity," is so trite.
Businesses can't afford real authenticity.
Especially not when it's served in a tin,
thinned out so it stretches further,
loaded with preservatives so that it lasts forever.
Good food is made with tenderness and care,
as though it were for your own family.
But consumers don't know the difference, so why bother?
Consumers are not as dumb as you think.
Sure, some may prefer homemade to off-the-shelf,
but for busy, working families, Russo's serves a very practical purpose,
and there's nothing wrong with that.
If I were you, I'd be so proud.
(laughs quietly)
Yet even practical things get, uh, chewed up and spat out.
No one could stand up to a legacy like yours.
And that's something I want to be a part of.
I used to think so, too.
Buona notte, Lauren.
(sighs heavily)
(sighs)
(crickets chirping)
ISABELLA: Mason.
I'll catch you tomorrow.
I want to try a few new ratios first.
Why this fixation with the gnocchi?
-It's becoming strange. -You know why.
It's still missing... something.
Hey, some of the best chefs in the world take years to perfect their recipe.
The Russo sauce took decades.
If you're gonna work in the kitchen, you got to be willing to give it your all.
I thought the whole reason you came here
was so that you didn't have to keep giving it your all, no?
I think maybe you should ask yourself:
"Hmm, is this gnocchi more than just gnocchi?"
Sì, I think this will be very illuminante
-and helpful for everyone. -(chuckles)
Okay, okay, all right, thank you for the suggestion.
MASON: Hmm.
Buona notte.
(crickets chirping)
(Francesca sighs)
♪ ♪
(bleating)
♪ ♪
(clucking)
MASON: So, what'd you think of Francesca?
She's not what I expected.
Look, don't take it personally, all right?
She's just seen the folks back home take the Russo name and destroy it.
Well, in her eyes anyway.
Is that how you see it?
The way I see it,
more companies could use folks like you.
Here. Want to give it a whirl?
(laughs): Yeah.
-Okay. Come on, get your model on. -Oh, okay.
(camera clicks)
Who knew that a vegetable could be this beautiful?
I think you mean fruit.
The pomodori has seeds.
And it's flawless.
Man, I can't remember the last time I saw a camera
that didn't have a USB port.
You better believe it.
Chemically processed, old school.
I take it your photos go straight up to the digital attic, huh?
Living their best life, free from dust and ugly picture frames.
Mm.
Here.
The Capretti's specialty heirloom tomato.
Try it.
-(laughing) -Whoa.
Uh, it's kind of everywhere.
Here. (chuckles)
-Thank you. -(murmurs)
-You got a little bit up here in your hair. -Ooh.
-Yeah. -There you go.
Good, now,
-what'd you think? -It's actually delicious.
Okay, back so we can take this picture.
(camera clicks)
MASON: Have you ever been inside a proper formaggeria before?
Mm, does Whole Foods count? (laughs)
I'm gonna try to forget you just said that.
Oh, I'm-I'm good. Trust me, I don't need that.
I adore cheese. We go way back.
(laughs quietly)
After you.
(coughing)
(gags)
(sniffs)
(gagging)
-(laughs) -(grunts)
You okay?
(coughs)
That was brutal.
Well, you were gutsy.
Most don't make it past the door.
-(laughs) -(sighs)
(man singing in distance)
I-I have to confess something.
I tried to find you on socials.
(chuckles): Oh, yeah?
-And what'd you come up with? -(Lauren chuckles)
-A whole lot of nothing. -(laughs)
Well, that shouldn't surprise you.
I-I just don't understand how you restrain yourself.
Surrounded by all of this beauty.
You could have millions of followers, huge profile,
like... "Rugged, American chef."
Wow. "Rugged," huh?
It's supposed to sound mysterious and alluring.
Like, "Rugged, American chef moves to Tuscan countryside."
MASON: Mm.
It would be a crime not to share all of this with the world.
(Mason sighs)
Look, this may sound clichéd, right?
But when I first got here, it was like I could finally see everything clearly.
You know, it'd be impossible to capture all this on a phone.
I'd be doing it a disservice.
There's nothing like knowing, you know, this exact moment,
in this exact place, is yours...
...and yours only.
(sighs)
I see what you mean.
♪ ♪
(grunts) Francesca's grandparents built all this with their bare hands.
Treated the soil, planted their first vines.
How's your sense of smell?
I've never tested it.
(sighs)
Back in the day, we used to go camping every year
in this little cabin in the woods.
And now whenever I smell, like, woolen sweaters
or smokey firewood, I'm right back there.
You know, do you have anything like that from when you were a kid?
Oranges.
When my mom and dad would fight,
me and my cousin would go into the kitchen and, like, peel oranges,
but, like, try to see who could get the longest peel.
It sounds silly, but when I think about it, it still makes me smile.
Mm.
It's funny the things that stick with us.
-You know? -Mm.
If only we could choose.
You're starting to sound like a therapist.
Hey, don't knock it.
Long hours in the kitchen will teach you a thing or two.
May I?
Yes, but promise no cheeses, okay?
I've suffered enough today.
Eh, so much for you two going way back.
(Lauren chuckles)
All right, here we go. (sighs)
Okay.
I want you to tell me...
...what does this remind you of?
A hotel bar.
Like a martini.
It's olives. Is it olives?
Sicilian greens. Nice.
What about this?
Okay, yum.
Um... (sniffs) coffee.
-Nailed it. -Mm-hmm.
All right, let's put these skills to the test.
-Here. -Mm-hmm.
(pouring wine)
Thank you.
What do you smell?
Maybe... cherry?
Rich but not sweet.
Sourish?
Pepper.
Cracked pepper.
Did I just say cracked pepper in wine?
(Lauren laughs)
A little hint of, like, plum as well.
-Mm-hmm. -Your turn.
Mmm.
Not bad.
-Can I see? -Yeah, sure. It's, uh...
(both laugh)
It's one of my favorite reds.
To Tuscany.
To delicious wines.
And great company.
(Lauren and Mason talking, laughing)
You're back.
Francesca wants to talk to you.
Sh-She does?
About what?
Sit, darling, sit.
(sighs)
There is, uh, no easy way to say this, Lauren, but, um...
I am selling my shares in the Russo company.
The final paperwork is being prepared as we speak.
Selling?
To who?
To a big food company in Milan.
They'll know exactly what to do with it.
What are you saying?
I know you were hoping that something different would come of your visit.
And I admire your passion and your drive.
But there is no one to pass the torch to.
No one to carry on the family legacy.
Every story comes to an end.
You haven't failed, Lauren.
You're just trying to save something that doesn't want to be saved.
You can't think of one sentimental reason to hang on?
If it's not sustainable...
...sentiment is irrelevant.
What do they say?
"If you can't beat them, join them."
♪ ♪
(sighs)
(scoffs)
(sighs)
LAUREN (over phone): I can't believe she's giving up.
Right before I've even had a chance to show her what she's about to lose.
Admittedly, this doesn't sound good, but let's not jump to conclusions.
Let me do some digging on this Zocul company, okay?
Check their track record.
If there's a silver lining, I'll find it.
One thing's for sure, Lo,
no deal is ever complete until the contracts are signed.
-(birds calling, crickets chirping) -(bell tolling)
ISABELLA: Disastro.
Probably means we're next in line on the chopping board.
Che cosa?
No, no, no, never.
The Trattoria is her passion.
Slow down.
Look, we just have to keep an open mind.
It's not over yet.
So American, believing it will all work out.
We just have to come up with something special.
Something that showcases the wonderful things that Francesca believes in.
You know, the true connections, the precious moments,
friends, family, the works.
What about a party?
It's perfect timing to mark the hundred years.
Party?
I love a party.
But what will a party do to help?
If we celebrate Francesca's past,
then maybe she'll be inspired to hold on to the future.
Okay, look, we'll need a tasting menu.
-Yeah, can do. -(sighs)
But I leave on Sunday, which only leaves us two days to prep.
Well, it's a good thing I thrive under pressure.
Well, that makes two of us.
Okay, we will kick off the night with the campaign pitch.
-(sighs) -Uh...
I will have it ready, okay?
I promise. Trust me.
Then we'll celebrate with dinner.
We'll need a guest list.
O-Of course. We'll invite all the local press and the mayor.
Wait, is there a mayor?
Sì. I have a 2019 Barolo gem.
It's his preferito.
And that'll pair well with my gnocchi di zucca.
-Do not ask me to help you there. -I wouldn't dare.
Okay, can we maybe anchor the menu in Russo's Pasta Sauce?
Of course. Yeah, um, trota di pomodoro for the main.
Perfect.
Let's show Francesca that the Russo legacy is worth hanging on to.
All right, well, let's meet back here first thing.
We'll need an early start.
Okay. And let's keep this a surprise for Francesca.
Leave it to me. Fantastica.
-Yeah. -Okay.
-(Mason sighs) -Okay.
(birds chirping)
("Venetian Mandolin" by Andy Bryan and Barthy Raffo playing)
(low chatter)
♪ ♪
(song ends)
Maybe I can help.
(laughs): Be my guest.
All right, pressure's on.
"From Russo's crop to your chop."
What?
Wh... All right, all right.
So...
"From Russo's vine to your dine."
"Love at first bite"?
Okay, how about you stick to making it taste good
and I'll make it sound good?
Yeah, but... did you write the first one down?
I think it's got legs.
Are you being funny?
MASON: No, it's not meant to sound funny.
LAUREN (laughs): It sounded very funny.
It was good.
(bell tolling)
-I'll, uh, meet you in the garden. -MASON: Yeah.
I got to hand it to you, you know how to hustle.
I mean, we might actually pull this off.
You mean, we are definitely pulling this off.
Okay, ice cream back home is great, but this is, like, next level.
How do they get it to be rich and silky?
MASON: Toss a coin in and ask the fountain.
-(chuckling) -The site of our first meeting.
Feels like weeks ago.
Mm.
(low, indistinct conversation)
♪ ♪
MASON: Come on.
(bell tolls)
("Venetian Lullaby" playing)
(low, happy chattering)
(talking low)
Cute. I-Is that...?
MASON: Allegra. Bella's girl.
She's visiting from Firenze.
(chuckles)
I can't believe I've barely posted or even checked my feed.
And I don't miss it.
-Wow. -Mm-hmm.
♪ ♪
Who, me?
(laughing): Whoa.
Do they teach these moves in culinary school?
You'd be surprised what they put a "rugged chef" through.
(laughs)
Well, you've definitely found your calling.
Mm, the dancing or the cooking?
Both.
I've seen you writing all afternoon.
How's it going?
Mm, warming up.
If someone asks, I would deny it,
but slowing down has its advantages.
Feels good just letting go a little.
Suits you.
You know, sometimes,
when we're not looking, the best things find us.
Scusare. (speaking Italian)
This is for you, mia bella.
LAUREN: Thank you.
What a complimento.
Bruno's famous, you know.
-(song ends) -(scattered clapping)
(Lauren gasps)
LAUREN: Uh, that's it.
It's so simple.
I-I got to go. I'll see you both tomorrow.
♪ ♪
(chuckles)
(seagulls squawking)
Gracie is finally napping.
Great. (sighs)
This has changed me on a molecular level, by the way. (chuckles)
I'm pretty sure that's just the sugar taking the edge off.
Mm. Maybe.
I've spent all day investigating this Zocul group
and looking at our options.
The Brand Pantry might become the empty pantry if we're not careful.
Hey. We're not there yet.
The first five years are always brutal.
You knew that going in.
Doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
-(phone vibrating) -Yeah.
Lo? Are you okay?
It must be late there.
LAUREN: It-it is late, and yes, I'm okay.
Better than okay.
I'm calling 'cause I need a favor.
Actually two. And big ones.
♪ ♪
Ciao.
Ciao, Bella.
How's it going?
I've got Francesca's favorite.
-And everything else is all set? -Sì.
Guest list confirmed, 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.
-Someone's had a productive evening. -(giggling)
I think Francesca's gonna love it.
You don't think she has any idea, right?
All she knows is that she's coming here for a meeting.
-Mm... -Don't worry.
She's always dressed for a party, even when it's laundry day.
All right. Can you store this all for me somewhere safe?
Mm-hmm.
Where's Mason?
He's not having the best day.
(Mason sighs heavily)
Problem?
My supplier is out of trout.
You up for a road trip?
Sì. I'll grab the camera.
Are we taking the truck?
Nope.
(Vespa engine rumbling)
♪ ♪
(ducks quacking)
MASON: Whew.
(grunts)
Here you go. (sighs)
Well, that could have gone worse.
La Vespa è libertà.
"The Vespa is freedom."
(Mason sighs)
Wow, okay, now, I am no fisherwoman, but even I know
that we're gonna need more than our bare hands to go fishing for trout.
See that guy over there by the boathouse?
Casts out here every afternoon.
Cute.
Let's go.
(quacking)
My cuz would love it here.
It's great you're so close with your family.
Well, me and Maddie are. (sighs)
Especially since Mom and Dad split.
As for the rest of us, mm...
Well, let's just say we are dysfunctionally functioning, I guess.
MASON: Eh, we got our fair share of dysfunction, too.
-Divorce is tough, though. -Mm.
I mean, sorry to hear.
I can't wait for you to see the rebrand campaign.
I'm super excited about it.
Sounds great.
I mean, if all goes to plan,
your phone will be ringing off the hook when you get home.
Right.
You sure you haven't started practicing in front of the mirror yet, or...?
(chuckles) If I did, I wouldn't tell you.
-(laughing) -See, I knew it.
(laughs)
Marcello, ciao.
♪ ♪
(quacking)
LAUREN: Pretty bold move coming to live out here by yourself.
I could never pull that off.
MASON: I'm sure you, of all people, could pull off anything you set your mind to,
Ms., uh-- what was it again?--
Trailblazer in New Business award?
(chuckles): Well, well, well.
Looks like someone does know how to use the Internet after all.
Yeah, guilty. (chuckles)
Well, I wouldn't miss home either if I was surrounded by all of this.
Eh, sometimes I do.
I mean, my friends, family.
Bronco.
The four-wheel or the four-legged kind?
-(chuckles) He's my dog. -Ah.
Yeah, my parents are pretty eager to get me home, too, that's for sure.
What made you leave?
Ah...
I used to run this kitchen back in San Francisco.
High-end place.
Success meant being the best, no matter what it took.
One day, I realized... (sighs)
I hadn't tasted my own food in weeks.
You know, I was too busy yelling at line cooks and chasing perfection.
I was on the verge of burning out, so I quit.
Didn't look back.
Wow.
I wanted to remember what it was like to cook
because you care about people.
Not because you want to win.
Sounds like you did the hardest thing.
Walking away from all of that?
Being true to yourself?
That takes real strength.
Thanks.
So, what brought you to Italy?
(chuckles)
Well, I was actually on my way to Australia.
-What? -Yeah, the plan was to, uh...
(Australian accent): hire a combi and travel the outback.
You know, check out witchetty grubs and damper rolls.
Back off the beaten path again?
-(normal voice): Yeah. -Mm.
Yeah, and then I found Tuscany.
Fell in love.
Found what I was looking for.
Sounds romantic.
(quietly): Yeah.
Speaking of finding what you were looking for,
I've been thinking about your gnocchi.
-Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
You know the something special you were looking for?
You should try ají amarillo sauce.
It's made from yellow chili.
It will add a bit of a kick, but it pairs perfectly with gnocchi.
Highly recommended.
Peppers.
I hadn't considered that.
Hey, sometimes the most unexpected combinations give the best results.
Hmm. Thanks for the tip.
I might just use that.
This is magical.
Here. Let me take a photo of you. The light is just perfect right now.
-Here... -LAUREN: Nah.
It's okay.
Let's just keep this one for us.
Yeah.
(Mason chuckles softly)
♪ ♪
(Vespa engine rumbling)
All right, here we go.
(murmurs) Ready, one, two, three.
I must have helmet hair, do I?
(sighs): Actually...
you're perfect.
You're just saying that so that I'm not self-conscious
about my helmet hair.
Not at all.
I just think we happen to make a great team.
(laughs softly)
We do, don't we?
Look, this past week has been
more than I could've ever expected.
And you were a big part of that, wh-whether you meant to be or not.
Well, uh...
I'm just glad I got to watch you pull it all off.
MADDIE: Lo!
-(Maddie laughing) -Oh, my gosh!
Hi!
-(both laughing) -Hi.
Maddie, this is Mason.
-Mason, this is my cousin Maddie. -Nice to meet you.
-Hi. -Oh, my gosh.
(laughing): This is wild.
Did you get in okay? How was the flight?
Did you look around?
(lively chatter, laughter)
(lively chatter, laughter continues)
(laughing): Oh, my God.
(laughing)
I love it. How did you get everybody in the same room?
-Oh, come on. Free food. -(chuckles)
Wow.
This is perfect, Mads.
You're the best.
Thank you for coming here.
I know that it was a big ask,
but with this whole Francesca and Zocul situation,
anything could happen, and I just needed you here with me.
Hey, what is family for?
Okay? And it is already worth it.
So did you manage to find out anything else?
Okay, turns out, Zocul is known
for stripping down companies to absorb their resources.
Ultimately, it's to remove them as competitors from the market.
So they're gonna kill the brand?
-Bingo. -(scoffs)
So if this party flops, that's the end of Russo's Pasta Sauce.
And you and me will be working overtime
to make up for everything that we've put into this.
-You know, we... -(Paolo speaks Italian)
Con i complimenti dallo chef.
Grazie, Paolo.
(chuckles)
Okay, I just got to say, Lo, this trip is looking good on you.
-Really? -The dress, the hair, the lingo.
(laughs quietly)
There must be something in the food.
-Or the drinks. -Mm-hmm. (laughs)
Also...
kind of felt like I was interrupting something earlier.
You know, with le chef.
Girl, that is French, again.
Okay, le chef, ze chef. It doesn't change the fact that he's a bit of a snack.
In another life maybe.
He loves it here so much,
so what's the point of starting something that we can't see through?
(sighs heavily)
-(cat purrs) -(fire crackling)
("Le nozze di Figaro - Overture" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart playing)
♪ ♪
(whirring)
(song ends with flourish)
Wow. (chuckles softly)
(Enzo speaking Italian)
Maddie, that's the guy I saw Francesca with.
He's got to be from Zocul.
(continues speaking Italian)
Looking for someone?
(speaking Italian) Ciao.
Ah, americane.
(speaking Italian) Vincenzo Morganella.
Actually, I heard about you.
Lauren, uh, vero? And, uh, Maddie Navarro.
-Yeah. -(Enzo chuckles)
I'm putting together a plan about what we may do to this place
once we take it over.
Take over what?
The Trattoria?
Sì, of course.
You know, Francesca needed some convincing, but in the end,
everything has a price.
(Enzo laughs)
Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your brand company.
-Brand Pantry. -Brand Pantry.
Whatever you call it.
Impressive digital footprint, yeah?
And since the American market is where we're headed
and you understand pasta brands,
Zocul would like to keep you on a retainer.
Huh?
I'm sure we can work out a substantial boost.
I-I've created this beautiful new campaign...
Ah, we don't, uh, overcomplicate things.
We're more into the influencer partnership
and market saturation sort of thing.
That's good business.
We have no intention of keeping the Russo brand intact.
In fact, we may even change the name.
Okay, I've heard enough.
Oh... bellissimo.
No. No bellissimo.
We only work with companies we believe in.
Believing?
-Mm-hmm. -(Enzo laughs)
Well, that doesn't pay the bills, bella.
Look, whatever Zocul decides to do with the Russo brand,
if it doesn't honor the family legacy, then it's not good business.
And that's something we can't be a part of.
A pity.
I commend your spirit.
But the reality is you are painfully naive.
Arrivederci.
(Lauren scoffs)
What?
ISABELLA: Profuma benissimo.
Here.
Mamma mia. What is this?
It's aji amarillo sauce.
Well, the closest I could get it with what I had.
It's great, huh?
Spettacolare. You did it.
Your signature gnocchi.
Yeah, uh, well, it wasn't my idea.
This one's all Lauren. I think she's in the wrong industry.
Ah, I should have guessed. What more proof do you need?
Huh? Proof of what?
Ma per favore.
That you two are perfect for each other.
-(laughing) -As a matter of fact, I'd have guessed
that you were in love with her.
-I... -You can't fool me, Mason.
I saw the way you held her, dancing at the fountain.
You know I have a good eye for romanticismo.
Just admit it to yourself and go tell her how you feel.
Yeah, I mean, what if she...?
I mean, we're both...
Not everything needs to be spelled out, does it?
(sighs)
Does it?
Your face is saying it's...
time to insert grand romantic gesture here.
Sì. Right, right!
Okay, okay, okay. I got it. Capito.
Mio Dio.
♪ ♪
Mmm. (smacks lips)
MADDIE: Damn, cuz, that was badass.
LAUREN: Then why do I feel sick to my stomach?
I just walked away from the only real offer on the table.
I should have just played it safe for the company,
just like Francesca is.
But instead, I'm out here on a limb with no plan B.
What if he's right?
What if... what if I am really naive?
Well, come on, every business goes through this at one point.
It's the fork in the road.
You either stay true to your ideals or take a more lucrative route.
Well, here I am, staying true to my ideals.
Where has that gotten me?
Okay, Lo, we're gonna figure this out.
Together. Like we always do.
Will we, though?
'Cause I'm feeling like I'm messing up everything that really matters.
We're not just talking about business, are we?
Lauren, the time we've spent together has been s-- (sighs)
Lauren, I need to tell you how I feel.
And that is, um...
Look, I was so, so stupid.
I got swept up in this place, and I let my feelings call the shots.
Me and Mason? That's fantasyland.
We're going in two different directions.
Wrong place, wrong time.
Starting to think you were right.
About what?
I never should have come here.
♪ ♪
MADDIE: What is with this defeatist energy?
Did that Vespa ride shake a few screws loose?
Remember what Tía says.
You can never go wrong if you follow two things:
your gut and your heart.
Yeah.
(chuckles): Typical me.
Developing a crush in the middle of a crisis.
Well, here's a radical idea.
Maybe you're allowed for something good to happen when everything's a mess.
Love is a luxury I can't afford right now.
Oh, please. Love isn't a luxury.
It's necessary.
That's a good one.
(chuckles) So long as you're following your heart, you're doing the right thing.
-Trust me. -(sighs)
You deserve it all, Lo, not just the side salad,
the whole damn meal.
Okay, okay. You're making some really good points here,
which is why you're so good at your job.
What can I say? It is not easy being right all the time.
(both laughing)
("What Could Have Been - Guitar" by Uptown Jazz Collective playing)
(low chatter)
♪ ♪
(sizzling)
(low chatter)
ISABELLA: Ciao.
Hey, Bella.
Okay, I was thinking that we could sit the press from La Nazione
across from Italia 1.
And then Francesca next to the mayor?
She would like that, right?
-Perfetto. -All right, cool.
So, how did it go?
LAUREN: How did what go?
Last night. Mason.
He went to see you at the villa?
I didn't see... Me and Maddie...
(clears throat)
♪ ♪
(song fades)
♪ ♪
(sauce bubbling)
-Hey. -Hey.
What do you think about this menu?
I'm obsessed with this typeface.
-See? -Yeah, it looks good.
Is that...?
Yep. Well, first attempt.
(softly): What?
Oh. That's amazing.
You did it.
MASON: Well, all credit goes to you.
-LAUREN: Well. -MASON: Yeah.
I, uh, I got you a little something.
Something to remember us by.
No matter what happens tonight,
I wanted you to remember that your time here, it... it meant something.
(laughs)
I love it.
And with the frame, too.
-Yeah, it's... -(laughs)
Thank you.
Hey, if you're ever in San Diego,
I'd love to show you around.
We actually have the largest Little Italy in the U.S.
Oh, is that so?
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Well, shame we don't live in the same city.
-Yeah, then I could meet Bronco. -Yeah.
We could talk food.
And family.
-Typeface. -(chuckles)
-Authenticity. -Mm.
-(laughs) -I'd love to.
Yeah.
(Lauren sighs)
-But... but, um, yeah, I should... -Um...
-Maddie probably needs me. -Yeah, I'm just gonna...
That was really good, yeah, and this is wow.
-A frame. -(laughs) Yeah.
Just gonna...
-(crickets chirping) -(low, happy chattering)
(Isabella whispering in Italian)
(chatter quiets)
Un minuto, Francesca.
Oh.
-(excited chattering) -Sorpresa! Buon cento!
-(clapping, laughter) -Buon cento!
Per me?
("Vie di Roma (Vocals)" playing, lyrics in Italian)
(Francesca speaking Italian)
(overlapping conversations)
♪ ♪
LAUREN: Legacy isn't something tangible
that's handed down from generation to generation.
It's about the relationships that we build along the way.
♪ ♪
Bringing them together.
The Russo name encapsulates the importance of famiglia and friends
all across America.
(song continues with lyrics in Italian)
This is their gift to you.
From Italy with love.
♪ ♪
(inhales sharply)
(song ends)
(pops)
(low chatter)
Let's make a toast.
To Lauren, who had this beautiful idea.
FRANCESCA: Sì.
To Lauren.
To famiglia.
-From Italy with love! -OTHERS: With love!
(happy chattering, laughing)
(glasses clinking)
Oh, Nonna and Nonno would be so proud.
100 unforgettable years.
To Luca.
(person clapping)
Sì, uh, alas,
all good things must come to an end.
It appears someone forgot to invite me.
(speaking Italian)
It does not matter.
Francesca, is this a good time?
No, Enzo.
Not here.
This is the perfect setting,
amongst family and friends.
(speaks Italian) You must tell them.
I said, no, Enzo.
And when a woman says no, she means no!
Shall I remind you, Francesca, that we had a deal?
(breath trembling)
I've changed my mind.
The Russo legacy belongs to us.
Well, it's a little too late.
The contract has been negotiated, and it's as good as signed.
I'd be careful if I were you, Enzo.
Verbal promises don't really hold up when challenged.
(chuckling)
You wouldn't dare.
Actually, I believe she would.
Excuse me, but what do you know?
I know that when anything is "as good as signed," it means it's not signed.
They teach you that on day one.
-We shook on it! -Shook on it? (chuckles)
How painfully naive of you.
(laughs)
(speaks Italian) La stretta di mano. La stretta di mano.
In Italy, it's a binding agreement in court.
Oh, please.
I lunch with three of the best lawyers in California.
Handshakes don't scare us.
You heard Francesca.
I think you need to leave.
(exhales)
You can be assured that I will...
Mamma mia... (speaking Italian)
(laughs)
-Ciao, Enzo! Ciao! -(door slams shut)
(laughter, cheering)
(excited chattering)
(speaks Italian)
(happy chattering)
(laughter)
I didn't know you were a lawyer.
You don't need to be a lawyer to know the law.
Besides, it's all about attitude.
(Francesca chuckles)
But did you really mean what you said?
About the Russo legacy belonging to you?
It's a wonderful campaign, Lauren.
It's full of heart, and it honors the past,
and it points to a bright future.
But, uh, even with the rebrand, it's, um...
...going to be better than I ever imagined.
(laughing)
LAUREN: And the Trattoria?
-Of course, it stays. -(sighs)
-Dio mio. Dio mio, Francesca. -Oh.
-Grazie. -(Francesca chuckles)
-Mwah. -All in a day's work.
Oh, my gosh.
What is this texture?
(chuckles) The polite crunch.
And how long has this been going on?
Ah, it's amore.
Hmm.
(laughing)
-(crickets chirping) -(owl hooting)
(thumbwheel clicking)
(camera clicks)
(thumbwheel clicking)
It's been a memorable week.
Yeah, you can say that again.
After tonight, I was thinking you and Lauren might, um...
(sighs) Nah, it's...
She goes home tomorrow.
Besides, I mean, she can't run the new campaign from here.
It's just...
It's not possible.
We both know it.
Excuse me, but why are you in your pajamas?
Because I'm done with meetings and I'm about to go to sleep?
But it's your last night.
(sighs) Mads, look, I know where you're going with this.
Then why aren't you going with it?
We're not geographically aligned right now.
So what's the point?
Yeah, it's just...
I don't know if I'm ready to go back.
When you first arrived here, do you know why I hired you?
American chef in a Toscana kitchen?
Che sacrilegio.
It was because I saw a kindred spirit.
Someone desperate to rekindle their passion.
Not just for cooking but for living.
Geography has nothing to do with it.
Just tell him how you feel.
But I can't expect for him to give up on his dreams when I won't give up on mine.
But how do you know what his dreams are actually even made of?
Better still, maybe he wants to make new ones.
You worked hard to allow yourself to heal.
And now it's time to take the next step.
Sharing this stuff with the people you love is what life is all about.
Life is only worth living
when we can share it with the ones we love.
(Francesca grunts)
(kissing)
Don't confuse what you think you want
with what you actually need.
♪ ♪
(sighs)
I've made a mistake, haven't I?
Get moving, girl.
(laughs)
("Le nozze di Figaro - Overture" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart playing)
(panting)
(knocking)
Hello?
Hey.
Just missed her. Check the Trattoria.
Grazie, Mads.
(chuckles)
♪ ♪
(low chatter)
(song ends with flourish)
-(grunts) -Oh.
-Hi. -I found you.
Well, technically speaking, I found you, but, um,
I'm glad you're here.
Had to get the coin toss in.
You know how it is.
Well, I did have something important to tell you
but, of course, after you finish the coin toss.
(chuckles) What a coincidence.
I'm already done.
Go on.
Well...
I had this crazy idea.
Okay, I'm listening.
This last week has got me thinking, and it made me realize that
going home doesn't mean I have to walk the same path again.
I get to create my own chapter.
So... you mean you're thinking of going home? Like home, home?
Eccovi!
(laughing)
Everything okay?
Sì. Is better than okay.
I just came from a board meeting, and it was a unanimous yes.
What, they agreed?
Agreed to what?
To Mason running a Trattoria Russo in San Diego.
FRANCESCA: And Bella is going to be taking over
the running of the Trattoria here.
(Francesca chuckles)
I may not have my own bambini, but I was wrong to think I had no family,
because here you all are.
(chuckling)
But that's enough now. I have to go. I have a date with Dario.
Who?
(hushed): The mayor.
Oh. Okay.
So, until we meet again, ciao.
Is this for real?
Yep. It's all thanks to you.
What about us?
Well, I was hoping the, uh, offer to show me around still stands.
Of course.
Besides, you'll need an efficient team to build you the perfect marketing plan.
I was hoping to find, uh,
-an award-winning, trailblazing creative -(laughs)
who might be able to steer me in the right direction.
You know anyone?
Mm...
In exchange for an unlimited supply of macarons,
I think I'd be able to find a suitable someone.
So, uh, what'd you wish for?
He's tall...
-...and handsome. -Mm-hmm.
And rugged?
(chuckling)
Eh, I was thinking the authentic type, you know?
This authentic enough for you?
♪ ♪
(music fades)