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Christmas in Rome (2019), a Hallmark Channel holiday film, delivers a festive blend of romance, cultural charm, and the enchanting backdrop of Rome during the Christmas season. Starring Lacey Chabert as Angela and Sam Page as Oliver, this movie captures the essence of holiday magic while whisking viewers away to the romantic streets of Italy’s capital. Directed by Ernie Barbarash, the film offers a predictable yet heartwarming narrative, perfect for fans of cozy holiday romances. In this 1000-word review, we’ll explore the plot, characters, cinematography, themes, and why Christmas in Rome remains a delightful addition to Hallmark’s holiday lineup.

Plot Summary: A Roman Holiday Romance

Christmas in Rome follows Angela, an American tour guide living in Rome, who loses her job just before the holiday season. Known for her pᴀssion for Roman culture, Angela’s expertise in the city’s history and traditions makes her a beloved figure among tourists. Enter Oliver, a driven American businessman sent to Rome to secure a deal with a prestigious Italian ceramics company. Their paths cross when Oliver’s company hires Angela to show him the “real” Rome to better understand the family-owned business he’s negotiating with.

As Angela introduces Oliver to Rome’s festive markets, historic piazzas, and local traditions, the two begin to form a connection. The film weaves a classic “opposites attract” storyline, with Angela’s free-spirited, culture-loving personality contrasting Oliver’s work-focused demeanor. Along the way, they navigate misunderstandings, professional challenges, and the growing spark between them. Will Angela’s love for Rome and the Christmas spirit soften Oliver’s ambitions? Can they find a balance between their dreams and their budding romance? The predictable yet satisfying arc of Christmas in Rome delivers the warm fuzzies Hallmark fans crave.

Characters and Performances: Lacey Chabert Shines

Lacey Chabert, often dubbed the “Queen of Hallmark,” brings her signature charm to Angela. Her performance is heartfelt, infusing the character with warmth, wit, and a genuine love for Rome. Chabert’s ability to convey emotional depth makes Angela relatable, whether she’s sharing stories about Roman history or grappling with her uncertain future. Her chemistry with Sam Page’s Oliver is palpable, creating a believable romance that anchors the film.

Sam Page plays Oliver with a mix of polished professionalism and subtle vulnerability. While his character starts as a stereotypical workaholic, Page adds layers to Oliver, showing his gradual transformation as he embraces the joy of the season and Angela’s influence. The supporting cast, including Franco Nero as Luigi, the wise owner of the ceramics company, adds authenticity and depth to the story. Nero’s performance grounds the film in Italian culture, making the setting feel like a character in itself.

Cinematography and Setting: Rome as a Star

One of Christmas in Rome’s standout features is its breathtaking cinematography. Filmed on location in Rome, the movie showcases iconic landmarks like the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and the Colosseum, all adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations. The holiday markets, with their stalls of handmade ornaments and Italian delicacies, create a cozy, immersive atmosphere. The film’s warm color palette—rich reds, golds, and greens—enhances the holiday spirit, while sweeping sH๏τs of Rome’s cobblestone streets and historic architecture evoke a sense of timeless romance.

The attention to detail in capturing Rome’s Christmas traditions, such as the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and the celebration of La Befana (a folkloric figure who delivers gifts to children), adds cultural authenticity. These elements make Christmas in Rome more than just a holiday movie—it’s a love letter to the Eternal City.

Themes: Love, Tradition, and Finding Balance

At its core, Christmas in Rome is about finding balance between ambition and joy. Angela’s love for Rome and its traditions contrasts with Oliver’s focus on career success, highlighting the importance of slowing down to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. The film also celebrates the power of cultural connection, as Angela’s pᴀssion for Rome’s history helps Oliver see the value of tradition in both business and personal life.

The theme of self-discovery is woven throughout the narrative. Angela’s journey involves rediscovering her confidence after losing her job, while Oliver learns to prioritize relationships over work. These themes resonate with audiences, especially during the holiday season, when reflection and connection take center stage.

Why It Works: The Hallmark Formula Done Right

Christmas in Rome adheres to the Hallmark formula: a charming lead, a picturesque setting, a predictable romance, and a feel-good resolution. Yet, it stands out due to its authentic portrayal of Rome and the chemistry between Chabert and Page. The film avoids excessive melodrama, focusing instead on small, heartfelt moments—like Angela and Oliver sharing gelato or decorating a Christmas tree together—that make the romance believable.

The pacing is steady, with enough plot developments to keep viewers engaged without overwhelming the lighthearted tone. At 90 minutes, the movie feels neither rushed nor drawn out, striking a balance that keeps audiences cozy and entertained.

SEO Optimization: Keywords and Audience Appeal

For those searching for holiday movie recommendations, Christmas in Rome is a must-watch for fans of Hallmark romances, Lacey Chabert, and Italian culture. Keywords like “Christmas in Rome movie,” “Lacey Chabert Hallmark,” “holiday romance 2019,” and “Rome Christmas movie” make this film easily discoverable. Its appeal lies in its universal themes of love and self-discovery, combined with the unique allure of Rome’s festive charm. Whether you’re a Hallmark devotee or simply looking for a heartwarming holiday escape, this movie delivers.

Criticisms: Predictability and Familiarity

While Christmas in Rome excels in delivering holiday cheer, it doesn’t stray far from Hallmark’s well-trodden path. The plot follows a familiar trajectory—big-city professional meets small-town (or in this case, culture-loving) romantic interest, leading to predictable conflicts and resolutions. Some viewers may find the story formulaic, especially if they’ve watched other Hallmark films. Additionally, while the film captures Rome’s beauty, it occasionally leans on touristy stereotypes, which might feel simplistic to those familiar with the city.

However, these criticisms are minor in the context of the film’s purpose: to provide a cozy, uplifting experience. For its target audience, the predictability is part of the charm, offering comfort and familiarity during the holiday season.

Why Watch Christmas in Rome?

Christmas in Rome is a delightful escape for anyone craving a dose of holiday romance with an Italian twist. Its stunning visuals, heartfelt performances, and cultural authenticity make it a standout in Hallmark’s extensive catalog. Whether you’re sipping H๏τ cocoa by the Christmas tree or planning a Roman holiday of your own, this movie offers a taste of la dolce vita wrapped in festive cheer.

For fans of Lacey Chabert, Christmas in Rome is another showcase of her ability to elevate a simple story into something truly special. Pair that with Sam Page’s understated charm and Rome’s magical backdrop, and you have a holiday movie that’s as comforting as a warm Italian espresso.

Final Verdict

Christmas in Rome (2019) is a heartwarming, visually stunning addition to the Hallmark holiday lineup. With its charming leads, authentic Italian setting, and timeless themes of love and self-discovery, it’s a perfect pick for cozy holiday viewing. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it executes the Hallmark formula with finesse, making it a must-watch for romantics and holiday enthusiasts alike.

Rating: 8/10
Stream it on the Hallmark Channel, Amazon Prime, or other platforms offering Hallmark movies, and let Angela and Oliver’s love story sweep you away to the Eternal City this Christmas season.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.