Just as you would've expected it

paul-allaer

"Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy" (2021 release; 6 episodes) is a documentary miniseries about actor Stanley Tucci's love for and ties with Italy and all that entails with it. As Episode 1 ("Tuscany"; 45 min.) opens (with a disclosure that "This Episode was filmed before the COVID-19 pandemic broke"), Tucci reminds us that in 1972 he (when he was 12) and his family lived in Florence for a year (resulting from his dad's job), and that this experience changed his life forever. Tucci gives us a brief introduction on the history of Florence ("birthplace of the Renaissance in the 1500s"), and it's not before long that we are taking a culinary look at the city and the region. At this point we are 10 min. into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: Tucci's love for Italy and for food is well documented, so why not combine both? And that is exactly what this show is about. Think of it as a reminder course in Italian art, history and food, and that just about sums it up. It is as utterly predictable as it can get. But is it enjoyable? The clear answer is YES, for several reasons. First, Tucci is simply wonderful as the host who takes you around Italy and shares some insights. Second, chances are you will learn a thing or two along the way. For example, I really wasn't aware of the "cucina povera" (literal translation: "poor kitchen") food in the Tuscany region. And there are other tidbits in the opening episode that I found interesting and insightful. In the end, Episode 1 feels like getting much needed comfort food on a cold and snowy winter day (which it exactly was here today in Cincinnati), and I enjoyed this from start to finish.

"Stanley Tucci" Searching For Italy" premiered on CNN this weekend, and Episode 1 is now available on CNN On Demand (where I caught it) and other streaming platforms. If you have any interest in either Italy or food of Stanley Tucci himself, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

score 7/10

paul-allaer 15 February 2021

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6601287/