Christmas in Rome

• Hot Chocolate
• Put up Christmas Lights
• Drink from Empty Coffee Cups
• Go to Christmas Tree Lot
• Makes Gingerbread House
• Horse-Drawn Carriage
• Carolers
• No Exes Involved

Director

• Ernie Barbarash

Producers

• Vince Balzano
• Cristian Bostanescu
• Miruna Gheorghiu
• Cristina Giubbetti
• Eric Jarboe
• Amy Krell

Cast

• Bryan Bounds
• Lacey Chabert
• Clara Ciobanu
• Petar Cvirn
• Fernanda Diniz
• Holly Hayes
• Francesca De Martini
• Franco Nero ⭐
• Sam Page
• Simone Spinazze

ANGELAI checked, I swear. He told me they were gluten-free. "Angela, 200 Euros for the allergy shot!" Right? Sorry. But she turned out OK. She loved the tour and we were able to share the living history of Rome. "Angela, this is the third time I've had to talk to you this month." No, that can't be right. Well didn't you sneak a tour into the Da Vinci Museum after hours?" Yes, yeah I did do that. It was to see the ceiling mural, it's beautiful. The group loved it... and the gladiator's sword you lost at the Colosseum?" Okay, I only borrowed that sword to show those adorable English kids. They were so cute at the time. How was I supposed to know they were gonna take it home? "Our travelers expect the basics you know?" Tomasso, they deserve so much more. I mean our tour should be more than just the seven selfies of Rome. We should help people appreciate its beauty and it's lifestyle and it's passion. "And I love your passion, truly, but this is a business and your job is to stick to the script. But that is one part of the job you can't seem to remember, so I, so I made a decision... and I have to let you go." Wait you, you're firing me? "Yeah." At Christmas?

OLIVERMm, I love this time of year. The season of joy, the season of giving. "It may be the season of giving Oliver, but we're not handing out any early Christmas presents. Okay, if you look at paragraph seven." Do you know what? Why don't we just forget about paragraph seven. I'm sure you all have a ton of Christmas shopping to do so. I'm just gonna write a number.

OLIVERYou wanted to see me. "I hear Christmas came early this year Oliver. Congratulations on closing the deal." Nobody else likes to work during the holidays. That's why it's my favorite time of the year. "Well speaking of which have you heard of Forlinghetti Ceramics?" Sure, high-end Italian company, expensive. They make everything from plates to cups to Christmas ornaments. "My friends, Margaret and Jack Fletcher, do you remember them?" Of course. "Well they're visiting Luigi Forlinghetti in Rome for the holidays. Margaret's heard a little rumor. Luigi is looking to retire." Are the Fletcher's looking to acquire his company? "They could but no. They thought Forlinghetti Ceramics would be a good fit for us. Santa might put a promotion under your tree if you can close this one." I can hop on a plane to Rome tonight. "Are you sure?" Are spaghetti and meatballs Italian? "Actually I don't think Italians put meatballs on their spaghetti." Yeah, of course they don't. I was testing you.

OLIVER"Sorry, sorry sorry." Watch where you're going. "Are you American?" Yes... and you should be careful. You know texting and walking is illegal in Italy. "You're kidding, right?" Yes, I'm kidding. But you do have to be careful here. I wouldn't want you to just walk out into the road and get hit by a car because your eyes are glued to your phone. "Why would you think that I would just walk into the road?" You just walked into me. "Actually I think you walked into me." I don't think so. "I'm pretty sure you did." You know what, in the spirit of Christmas, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Have a wonderful day.

OLIVER"Wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. I apologize... and I know that I don't deserve your help. In the spirit of Christmas, I don't have time to check in before my meeting, could you just tell me where Trattoria Rosselinni is?" Oh, it's a great restaurant. Yes, go down here at the end of Panico, you're gonna look for the piazza with the fountain, you make a left, and then immediately make a right, but if you do, you know what? It's gonna take me longer to explain how to find it. I'll just show you myself. "Thank you." Come on.

OLIVER"Thank you so much for this. I'm Oliver by the way." Angela, nice to meet you. So are you here on business? "That's right." It's December 20. "So?" So, it's only five days until Christmas. "Christmas is the best time to get things done." Oh no, not in Italy. I hope you have time to at least see the city. "My schedule is pretty tight." Rome is the most beautiful place on earth, especially at Christmas. This way.

OLIVER"Wow, you really know your way around." I live here, I'm a tour guide. It's my sworn duty to help lost travelers. "Well I appreciate it. I hope I'm not gonna make you late for work." Ahh, no, I'm not working today. "Oh, is it your day off?" Um, not exactly. I've been sort of taking a little time off and I'm actually thinking of starting my own company. "Nice. Are you sure we're going the right way because my phone says we're supposed to be on that street back there." Your phone can't help navigate Rome at Christmas. You need local knowledge for that. "Local knowledge, okay."

OLIVER"Oh, look at that nativity scene." Oh, Romans take great pride in there nativity scenes. "I can see that. Cool" Yeah, that's carved entirely by hand. Isn't that just incredible? "I appreciate the side tour, but I really cannot be late for this meeting." You don't ever stop and smell the roses? "I don't think roses are in season this time of year." Okay, we'll take a shortcut. This way. And here we are, Trattoria Rosselinni. "Angela, you are a lifesaver." I hear the restaurants great so good luck with your meeting.

OLIVER"Oh you know, let me give you something for your time." Oh, no, no, no, no. No, really, think of it as an early Christmas present. "Well that's very kind but I insist." Have you ever done business here before? "No, why?" In Italy, when someone gives you a gift, you always accept it. Otherwise they think you're being rude. "I am so sorry. I will not try to pay you again." I'm serious. The business protocol is not like the states. There are cultural differences. "Cultural differences? Can't be that different, a deal's a deal." Uh, you'd be surprised. Oh, you should know, every meeting in Italy starts with small talk. Family, friends, travel, weather conditions, whatever. "Small talk, got it, thank you." LUIGI FORLINGHETTI: "Mr. Oliver Martin from New York?" "Yes." LUIGI: "I think you and I have a meeting no? "Mr. Forlinghetti, it is a pleasure to meet you, Sir. LUIGI: "The pleasure is mine... and you are?" Angela de Luca. OLIVER: "She's a tour guide." And I was just leaving. LUIGI: "Please join us." Oh, no, no, no, no, I... LUIGI: "I insist. You can help us with our cultural differences." You know what, I have always wanted to eat here. LUIGI: "Come. You must try the gnocchi.

LUIGI"You are here a week before Christmas and you don't explore the city?" ANGELA: Oliver, weren't you just telling me how you planned on seeing the Colosseum and the beautiful Christmas lights above the Spanish steps. OLIVER: "Um-hmm, I was just telling her that, right... and then there's the Parthenon." ANGELA: Pantheon! The Parthenon's in Greece. OLIVER: "Pantheon, Pantheon is what I meant. I meant Pantheon." "Oliver, the ceramics we make are made with love. This company has been in the family for generations. Whoever will buy my company must understand that it is not just about the clay. It is about capturing the spirit of Rome in the clay." OLIVER: "Right, absolutely." "Come by my factory tomorrow afternoon. We can get to know each other better and you can tell me all you've seen of Rome. Now, let's eat."

OLIVER"What just happened back there?" I saved your pancetta. It's Bacon. "Really, because it feels like you volunteered me for a book report on Rome. "You have to remember, business is done differently in Italy than in New York. "At the end of the day, it's about closing the deal and I'm here to make that happen." Fine, but running in like a bull in a China shop is not gonna impress anybody. "How am I a bull in a China shop?" You know what I'm just trying to help. "For the record, a lot of people like my style. They say I'm a straight shooter." I'm sure they do. All right listen, Merry Christmas and good luck.

OLIVER"Hey, what if I hired you to be my tour guide for the week?" What? "I'm gonna be here until Christmas Eve. Got four days to give me a crash course in Rome." Oh, no, I'm sorry. I don't do crash courses, but thank you anyway. Cool you said you were gonna start your own business right? I'll pay you double your fee. Think of it as a test run. Luigi already loves you and he said he wanted me to get to know Rome. You could help me see all the sites." It's not just about sites, that's not what he meant. "But that's what he said." Look, maybe I can help you. I'll do it on one condition. If I give you a tour, you let me do it my way. "Your way? What exactly does that mean?" I've always wanted to do a real Christmas tour of Rome, something special and meaningful. "Sure, whatever, whatever you want to do. What do you say do we have a deal?" All right deal great. Okay, first order of business let's get you checked in.

JACK AND MARGARET"And how are you liking Rome so far?" "I love it, it's just tough to get around. I would be lost without my guide. Angela, meet Jack and Margaret Fletcher." Merry Christmas. "And you, dear. What tour company are you with?" OLIVER: "She's starting her own company. Private bespoke tours of Rome for the discerning traveler." JACK: "A private tour guide. I like the sound of that." MARGARET: "What's your company called?" ANGELA: I'm still in the formative stages so I don't really have a name yet. OLIVER: "I have some ideas, Roaming Rome. ANGELA: No. OLIVER: "Or how about Ciao Christmas. Or my personal favorite, Toga Tours. ANGELA: Nope, Still working on the name!

ANGELAJust imagine being a gladiator dropped into this unfamiliar city you're from a different country, you don't speak the language, and your competitors are out to get you. "Hey I can relate. I gotta admit this is one amazing feet of engineering." Can you believe that was created in less than 10 years? "Now that's productivity!" Just curious, do you ever think about anything other than business? "Hey, I'm taking the time to appreciate my surroundings. For instance, there is a very nice Christmas tree. "Yeah that's the thing about Rome they know how to celebrate Christmas.

ANGELAWhat is that? "A guidebook I bought at the hotel. It says there are 10 iconic sites to see in Rome and I want to check off all of them today." Oh, can I see that for a second. *throws book in trash* "Why did you do that?" That is checklist tourism. My tour shows you the soul of Rome and the spirit of Christmas and that's what Luigi wants you to understand. "The soul of Rome? What does that even mean? "The beauty, the art, the history, and romance, the culture. "Yawn, sorry, jet lag. You were saying something about the soul of Rome or something? Hey, wait up!"

OLIVER"That's spectacular. Wow!" It's my favorite view of Rome. It's kind of my secret spot. It's not something you will find on a regular tour. "Kind of like a locals only thing?" Yeah, exactly. I'm sure you've heard that Rome was built on seven hills, well, there's the Palatine hill, Pantheon, Janiculum, Palace of Justice, and St. Peter's Basilica. "Gotta admit, this is a great view."

OLIVER"Oh, now there is a Christmas present that I could go for. That latte I had at the hotel today had zero kick." Did you order a latte or a cafe latte? "I ordered a latte like I do every single day of my life." Yeah, but in New York. "Excuse me?" You're used to ordering a latte in New York. In Italy, latte means plain milk. "Why didn't I know that?" That's why you hired me. I know one of the best coffee vendors, and they set up right around the corner. "Now you're talking lead the way!"

ANGELALet me get your coffee. "Oh please, thank you. Why did you hold up three fingers?" I got us each an espresso and one more. "For who?" I don't know, that's part of the fun. "You lost me there." It's a Christmas tradition here. Caffe sospeso means suspended coffee, buying coffee for someone who can't afford it. So, later on the Vendor will offer someone a Christmas coffee as a gift. "So, it's like pay it forward." Exactly. Grazie! "Mmm, now that hits the spot, wow!"

ANGELADo you ever think about anything except work? "I'm working on it." Let's sit. You don't miss being at home for Christmas? "Not at all. Christmas is the best time to get things done. Everybody else wants to have time off, it gives me an edge." Oh, so you're a workaholic?" It's in my blood I guess. My father was running a fortune 500 company when he was my age." Wow, those are some pretty big shoes to fill. "Yeah, tell me about it. What about you? Do you like being a tour guide?" Oh, I love being a tour guide. But, starting a company up on my own is, it's intimidating. "Don't worry about it, you're a natural." Well, that's easy for you to say, you're a business guy. "What do you need?" Need for what? "To make your tour company work, what do you need?" Oh, well, first I need to get investors... and to do that I need to write a business plan which I have no idea how to do. "I can help you with that." Really? "I work in acquisitions and business development. I could write a business plan in my sleep." And you would do that for me? "If, you help me close the deal with Luigi." Done.

ANGELAOK, so, what do you think Luigi wants. "What any other business owner wants, to sell his company for the highest number." I don't know. Luigi's family is very old, very traditional, and very rich. I don't think money is the only motivating factor here. "OK so what is?" I think he wants to know that his company is in good hands. "Hmm." I think he wants to know that whoever he sells his company to is gonna value the things that are important to him.

OLIVER"Hey Italian Santa." Actually they call him Babbo Natale. Do you know if you have any Christmas gifts you need to buy for anybody special back home this is the place. "This is nice." Oh yeah, that's antique bronze from Verona. "It's beautiful, but I don't really need anything because I already sent my folks on a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean." Aw, that was nice. Don't have anyone else to shop for? "No, that's pretty much it." You know what? You could buy something for Luigi's grand kids. It's customary to buy gifts when you're doing business with someone new. "That's a good idea." Yeah.

LUIGIMy great grandfather moved the workshops here a century ago. Before that, we were in a village in Sicily... and the old kiln was actually built into the villages medieval walls. "It's certainly not like any factory I've ever seen." All of our workers are artists, artists of clay, paint, glass... and we give them all the time they need to make their wonders. "Doesn't that limit their production capacity?" Perhaps, but art cannot be rushed. ANGELA: "And everything is just beautiful." Come, I'll show you my favorite room of all.

LUIGIThese are the finest Christmas ornaments in the world. My grandfather used to make them for the family Christmas. Then my mother carried on the tradition, than me, and my children too. This is where a delicate hand brings to life the joys of Christmas. "I don't imagine these command the same margin as kitchen ceramics in your store given how long they must take to create." Yes, a lot of time. Each one hand painted. But the result, it speaks for itself. ANGELA: Bellissimo. OLIVER: "Beautiful."

ANGELAAnd this is Saint Peter's Basilica, the burial place of Saint Peter. "Impressive."

ANGELAYou know what it's 3 o'clock so I think that concludes our tour for the day. Do you want me to walk you back to your hotel? "I was hoping we could find somewhere to eat." I don't know, that's gonna put me into overtime. "I don't want to eat with you as my tour guide. I just want us to eat together." Are you asking me out on a date? "No, no, no, not a date date." Good, because I'm not allowed to date my clients. "Hang on, aren't you starting your own company? Doesn't that mean you get to make the rules?" And those are my rules. "Got it. For the record, I was not asking you out on a date." Good to know. "Because that would be awkward." No, and that's why there are rules you know so. "But, we both still need to eat so, why don't we eat together?" I really shouldn't. I'm actually gonna go get a Christmas tree for my apartment. "Really? Oh, I happen to be an expert in the Christmas tree department!"

OLIVER"You got your Douglas Fir, your Frazier Fir, your Grand Fir, and my personal favorite the Noble Fir, known for its strong branches and smell." Here it's the Austrian Pine. "When I'm looking for a Christmas tree, I like to go for height." Really? Nah, there's so many other things to consider. "OK, well, this one has good height, a nice color and scent." It's kind of sappy. "This one, it just looks great, right?" It's perfecto. "Aw, how do you say, please?" Per favore.

ANGELAOh, wow, that is, um, certainly different than any gingerbread house I've ever seen before. "That is because it's not a gingerbread house, it is a gingerbread Colosseum!" Oh, very artistic. "Yeah, see this is the outer wall." Nice, oh! And, it's the fall of Rome. I think you're gonna need more icing. "Yes!"

ANGELAUm, I think we should focus on tomorrow. So, we're going to Luigi's villa for dinner... and I think we need to do Rome like the Romans. "Do Rome like the Romans. What does that mean?" In Italy, when someone invites you to dinner you bring a gift. "So, I need to buy something for Luigi." Not buy, bake. "Bake? I don't bake." Well, you will tomorrow. Have a good night.

EMAIL:emailed you a sample business plan. Hope it helps. Best, Oliver.

ANGELAPanettone is the king of Christmas breads... and I am not talking about the stale store-bought kind that you find in America. Real panettone, it's rich and buttery. "OK, it sounds good so far."

ANGELANow, the last thing I want to show you is the world famous Trevi Fountain. "Spectacular. Wow! This is incredible. What are they doing, making Christmas wishes?" Aw, no, it's an old tradition. They say if you throw coins with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, they return to Rome is guaranteed. "OK, here we go" oh, wait, wait. "Too late, what did I do?" How many coins did you throw in? "Three I think why?" Oh, oh no. "What's wrong?" Oh no. Well, One coin gets you a return to Rome. Two coins brings you an Italian romance. But three coins, well, three coins brings you true love. "Well, don't worry, I don't believe in fairy tales so..." Me neither. But my parents threw three coins in, and well, it worked it's magic for them.

OLIVER"So, I'm gonna be busy the rest of the day with Luigi." Oh, right, good luck. "And you've got some pitching to do, so good luck to us both. I was thinking maybe you should take the next 24 hours off." Oh, okay. Is something wrong? "No, no, I'm just trying to work around a problem." What kind of problem? "Do you have a rule against dating clients, right?" Yes. "So, in theory, if I wasn't your client, you could go to dinner with me tonight?" Uh, in theory, um-hmm. "Excellent. Uh, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?" I would love that. "Great. I will make a reservation and pick you up at seven." That sounds great. Wait, no, I'm the tour guide. I should be making the itinerary. "Not tonight. My cab's here, I gotta go. Good luck." Okay, good luck, I'll see you later.

OLIVERLuigi, thank you for letting me use this studio, I really appreciate it. "It's a pleasure to help. I understand that you want to make a very special Christmas gift?" Angela was so helpful to me this week. "I noticed. Helpful and quite lovely." She really loved the ornaments. I wanted to give her something very special for Christmas. "You are very talented." I took a few art classes in college. Maybe there were some aspirations. Perhaps Rome has re-awakened them. "Not only Rome, Oliver. Where there is passion, there is art.

OLIVERI'm almost done. "It's beautiful." You know, I realize that these Christmas ornaments are only a small part of your product line, but whoever buys your company if they expand production, I'll bet they could find a big audience for these in America. "I appreciate your advice... and you're probably right. But I have to let you know that I've made a decision about the future of my company." And? "I told you that I wanted to sell my company to somebody who understands not just the business, but also the heart and the soul of what we're trying to do. Somebody who understands the soul of Rome." Well, I'm grateful that you gave us the opportunity to bid for your company. You and your family have built something very special here and, I only hope that whoever the new owner is, that they appreciate that. "The company I chose, is yours." Seriously? "Yes, congratulations." Luigi, thank you for your trust. You won't regret it, I promise.

ANGELAMy parents loved this city, so living here really makes me feel close to them. "You are really lucky, honestly, most of the time, I have no idea where I live. You're looking at a guy who's on the road 200 days out of the year." Have you ever thought about just settling down someplace you love? "Sure, someday." Someday, it's a dangerous word.

OLIVER"It's my boss." You can take it. "I don't want to. There is nowhere else in the world that I would rather be right now then right here with you." I feel the same way. I can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow. You're going back to New York, right? Well, that was the plan, but I've been thinking, I don't have to go back right away. Maybe I stick around for a couple more days, at least through New Year's." We could spend Christmas together! "Spending Christmas with you would be the greatest gift of all." Oliver, I really, really, really like you... and these last few days have been absolutely amazing. But, how could we make this work? "This?" Yeah, this, this whatever it is we have together. "Well, I'll tell you what I think. I think you're the most amazing woman I've ever met and I don't want to let you go." And I feel the same, but we hardly know each other. "That's not true. I know it's only been a couple of days, but I already feel like I know you better than people I've known my whole life. I want to give this a chance." Me too.

ANGELAAre you okay, is something wrong? "I have some news. My boss just offered me the VP position." Congratulations, that's amazing. "Yep, but they need me to fly back tomorrow." Wait, tomorrow? You just said you were staying a few more days. "I know." It's Christmas Eve tomorrow, I mean you can't work on Christmas Day. "They want me to huddle with the lawyers the day after Christmas so I can hit the ground running in the new year." But, you said no right? "Not exactly. I am so sorry Angela, but I really do need to go back to New York." Oliver, how can we possibly make this work between us if you can't even stay for Christmas? "We'll figure out a way. It's just one holiday." Yeah, but it's Christmas. It's not just a holiday. You said it yourself, you were gonna work through Christmas and I was hoping that would change, but... "I'm sorry. Don't be sorry. I meant what I said. These last few days have been amazing and Rome is a magical place and I think we both got caught up in the fantasy that we could make it work. "And I meant what I said I do feel like I know you. You're an amazing person and I want to see where this goes." Yeah, but all of that's not realistic. I mean, we live 5000 miles apart. You have your life, I have mine." So what are you saying? "I'm saying I wish we lived in the same city. I wish we lived in the same country, but we don't Oliver and that's not gonna change anytime soon. The truth is, I don't want a long distance relationship. "I don't see how we have any other choice." Sure we do. We can be grateful for the time that we had together and, we can be friends. "Friends?" Um, I have to get up early in the morning, so, uh, I'm gonna say good night. Merry Christmas, Oliver. "Angela..."

ANGELA'S NEIGHBOR"And what about Oliver?" He made his choice. It wasn't me. "I've known you for five years Angela... and in that time, I've never seen you look at a man the way you look at Oliver. Life is short Angela... and love, love, doesn't come along every day." I never said anything about love. "You didn't have to." Francesca, I've barely known him a week and I feel like I've known him my whole life. "It was the same for me and Pietro. But not everybody is so lucky. Not everybody finds someone to love, but if you do, you need to take him with both hands and never let him go." I messed up, I feel like I ruined it. "No, you made a mistake... and now you can fix it. Call him, call Oliver." I should call him. "Yes!" Okay. *no answer*

OLIVERAre there any quick phone repair shops near the hotel? "No."

ANGELAI want to apologize for walking out on you last night. "You don't need to apologize." Yes I do... and I'm sorry for not answering your calls this morning." It's okay I understand. "I know we've only known each other a few days and in some ways, we hardly know each other at all, but, I feel so connected to you and I don't want to lose that feeling. I don't want to lose you. "I don't want to lose you either." I want to see where this goes and if having a long distance, relationship is hard then it's hard. I mean nothing good ever came easy. But I say it's worth it, I want to give this a shot." Well,"

JACK AND MARGARET"Angela. You delivered quite the Christmas miracle. The singing was divine thank you." It was my pleasure. "Tell her honey." "We've looked at your business plan and we want to invest with you." That's amazing! Oh my goodness that's amazing! Thank you so much. OLIVER: "Angela, congratulations!"

OLIVER"I'm so happy for you!" I don't want you to leave. "I may not have to." Are you going back to New York tonight? "Hmm, three coins in the Trevi Fountain said otherwise. Remember, one coin brings you back to Rome, two coins, brings you romance, and three coins..." Leads you to true love! "Angela, I appreciate you trying to make our relationship work long distance, but I don't want to be away from you not even for a minute. So I spoke to Estelle and Luigi and I'll be running Luigi's company from here. It might be a little bit of a change of pace for me, but I think a change will do me good." But what about being VP? That was your dream job? Oh yeah, but it was missing one thing." What? "You."

OLIVER"Um, can I show you something?" Sure. "Just right over here... and this is the spot." What spot? "The spot from the photo you showed me of your parents standing in Saint Peter's Square. The Christmas tree was just to their left so they would have been standing right here." You're right! This is the spot my parents stood in 40 years ago. That's amazing! "I think it's a sign." I told you the city is magical. "So are you."