Rome in Love
6.3/10 · 1,533 ratings20191h 24mWeirdness 4/10
Where to watch
United States19 ways
Canada7 ways
Via 
JustWatch · can change anytime.
The premise
A remake of Roman Holiday will be filmed in Rome and an unknown woman is chosen to play the lead. Once in Rome, she meets a reporter/porter/waiter/aspiring novelist, who gets the exclusive story on her. Roman romance?
How unusual is it?
A fairly classic Hallmark setup with a quirk or two.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- The film is a Hallmark movie about the making of a remake of 'Roman Holiday', creating a weird meta-loop of the same plot.
- Amelia plays the Prince of Morocco in college because they were 'short on guys'.
- The protagonist locks herself out of her room while naked/in a towel with the bathtub overflowing as a primary plot catalyst.
- A professional reporter uses the pseudonym 'Jo March' (from Little Women) to hide the actress's identity from a rival.
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 29 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Setting3
Time & season2
Premise2
Romance6
How it ends2
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film begins in Bend, Oregon, where Amelia Tate, a coffee shop manager and community theater enthusiast, is encouraged by her sister Kathryn to submit a video audition for a remake of 'Roman Holiday.' To her shock, director Dominic D'Andrea selects her as the lead. Amelia travels to Rome under a strict 'no-press' mandate until a scheduled reveal. At the Hassler Hotel, she accidentally locks herself out of her room while her bathtub is overflowing, leading to a 'meet-cute' with Philip Hamilton, an American expat working as a porter. Philip is also a struggling writer for Vistoso magazine; his editor, Vivian, promises him a cover story if he can identify and interview the secret actress. Philip quickly realizes Amelia is the star but initially hides his professional interest. As Amelia undergoes training for the film—including Vespa lessons and waltz rehearsals—Philip acts as her guide through Rome. They bond over their shared American roots and Philip's unfinished novel, 'Rome in Love.' Amelia eventually reveals that she gave up a prestigious acting program in London years ago to raise Kathryn after their parents died. Philip writes a moving profile about her, but his editor publishes it prematurely to beat a rival magazine, exposing Amelia's private family history without her consent. Amelia feels deeply betrayed, believing Philip used her for a story. However, Kathryn arrives in Rome and convinces Amelia that the article was actually a beautiful tribute that inspired readers. At the final press conference, Philip publicly apologizes, using the 'three words every woman wants to hear'—'I was wrong.' Amelia forgives him, realizing his intentions were pure, and they embrace their own 'happy ending' as the film production begins.
Beat by beat
Opening
Amelia Tate is cast as the unknown lead in a 'Roman Holiday' remake and flies to Rome.
Inciting Incident
Amelia locks herself out of her hotel room with the bath running, meeting Philip, a porter who is secretly a reporter.
Midpoint
Philip and Amelia spend a day in the Italian countryside, where she reads his novel and they nearly share a romantic moment.
Climax
Philip's editor publishes the exclusive story early, revealing Amelia's private family sacrifices and causing a rift between them.
Resolution
At the film's press conference, Philip makes a public declaration of his feelings and apologizes, leading to their reconciliation.
29 tropes in one movie
We counted 29 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 38% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog Rome in Love belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“Just because it ends doesn't mean it's not a love story.”
— Amelia TateDiscussing the ending of the original Roman Holiday. “I'm a collector of stories, and you would be amazed what people will say in front of you if they think that you don't understand.”
— Philip HamiltonExplaining why he pretends not to speak English at the hotel. “Tell her the three words that every woman hopes a man will say to her... 'I was wrong.'”
— Signora RichichiGiving Philip advice on how to win Amelia back.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Amelia Tate
LeadActress/Coffee Shop Manager
HumbleProtectiveTalentedRisk-aversePhilip Hamilton
Love interestWriter/Hotel Porter
Love interest and secret interviewer
AmbitiousCharmingObservantRegretfulKathryn Tate
SupportingStudent
Younger sister
EncouragingWiseSupportiveDominic D'Andrea
SupportingFilm Director
Employer/Director
ArtisticDemandingInstinctiveSignora Richichi
SupportingLandlady
Philip's mentor and landlady
RomanticNurturingItalian stereotype
Questions people ask about Rome in Love
Where can I watch Rome in Love?
Rome in Love is available via fuboTV, YouTube TV, and Philo. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
How long is Rome in Love?
Rome in Love runs about 1 hour and 24 minutes, and was released in 2019.
More like this
Browse all moviesIf you liked this one, you’ll probably like these. The chips show what they have in common.
Love on the Right Course
2024
- International
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
The Finnish Line
2024 · Christmas
- International
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
When Calls the Heart
7.92014 · New Year's
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
Home for Christmas
7.62019 · Christmas
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
North to Home
7.22022
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
The Good Witch
7.12008 · Halloween
- Pet
- Brief Acquaintances
Talking Hallmark
Love talking about these as much as watching them?
So do we. Come hang out on the Talking Hallmark channel, where we dig into movies just like this one, episode after episode.
Watch the latest episode
“I watched Hallmark’s WORST Christmas movie (so you don’t have to)”
Data and sources
Curated by the Talking Hallmark team.