If you are looking for a heartfelt love story where love never dies even in the hardest of times, “From Scratch” starring Zoe Saldana and Eugenio Mastrandrea is the show for you. The eight episode limited series on Netflix aired in October and received immeasurable views. The show is inspired by Tembi Locke’s memoir of the same name. The show follows Amhale “Amy” Wheeler played by Zoe Saldana, an American student studying in Italy who falls in love with Lino, a Sicilian chef played by Eugenio Mastrandrea. When Lino’s health deteriorates, the couple’s future is tested. Their families of differing cultures come together to support the couple through the difficult times ahead.Â
Tembi Locke turned to her life experience when writing her novel. Her husband, Rosario, was also diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and writing this memoir helped Tembi Locke deal with her grief. It also helped Zoe explore her grief the loss of her father when she was 9 years old. She said in an interview with Today that “the book really kind of opened that scope of what it’s like to lose a partner. I know what it’s like to lose a dad, but not what it’s like to lose your partner.” One of the great experiences in watching this show is how the story becomes universal, with viewers confronting the grief in their own life.
I first heard about this show from ravings on TikTok. When my friends started talking about it, I knew I had to watch it as soon as possible. In the first couple of episodes, I loved the way Amy and Lino’s sexual and romantic tension was portrayed. Following the progression of their relationship led to viewers falling in love with their love. By the fourth episode, the series had me in pieces. Lino’s family never approved of his marriage with Amy but came as soon as they heard about his condition. In the fifth episode, there is a heartwarming scene between Lino and his father where he asks his father to get him coffee. A simple action, but one that shows how deeply his father cares for him without explicitly stating his emotions. The rest of the series was a rollercoaster of emotions that had many ups and downs. The way that Zoe Saldana and Eugenio Mastrandrea portrayed their respective characters had me smiling through my tears. Even though this series doesn’t have the happiest ending, I would still recommend watching it if you have the chance!