Love’s Greek to Me Enlightens Us About Greek Traditions

Typically, you watch a film that you just discover so relatable.

Love’s Greek to Me was that form of film since many brides-to-be concern their moms or mother-in-laws taking on the marriage planning. Marina Siris excelled at taking part in a well-meaning however overly enthusiastic future mother-in-law wanting to include household traditions.

Did her intentions carry her son and Ilana nearer collectively or drive a wedge between them?

Within the film, Torrey DeVitto performs an anthropology professor named Ilana that’s concerned with digging into the previous, besides her personal. Her mother and father’ divorce left her cautious of relationships, even along with her long-time boyfriend, Mike (Yannis Tsimitselis).

I simply really feel like who you marry is the largest resolution you make in life.

Ilana

Being fascinated with Mike’s household ought to have ready her. Nonetheless, Ilana had by no means been round a big household earlier than, so she wasn’t used to being immediately invited into the fold or having invasive questions on grandbabies.

Instantly, you may inform that Ilana was out of her aspect. She had solely handled Athena earlier than in small doses, and out of the blue, Athena was invading all of their plans with a whirlwind of power.

The Atlas household believed in honoring traditions, whether or not it meant Mike proposing on the precise location the place his dad proposed to his mother or working within the household resort enterprise.

Ilana: So, you’re proposing?
Mike: Sure, and this place is particular as a result of it’s the place my father proposed to my mom. He stated she was the sunshine of his life, and after I met you, I felt the identical. You’re my mild. So Ilana, will you marry me?

That is the place the issue arose. Ilana needed to plan an intimate marriage ceremony along with her mom’s help, however Athena swooped in, placing Mike within the center.

This turns into difficult as a result of many brides have clear visions, however some groom’s households need a say too. I bear in mind the chaos of planning my marriage ceremony.

That is a very powerful day of your life, the day the whole lot modifications, and also you bind your self collectively for all eternity. This can be a day that ought to be celebrated, no expense spared, so I’m going to provide the largest Greekest marriage ceremony ever.

Athena

That was the opposite subject. Regardless that that they had been collectively for 2 years, Mike and Ilana had by no means mentioned a lot about their future.

Ilana panicked when she noticed that Mike truly needed to remain in Greece together with his household and assist run the enterprise.

He had by no means talked about feeling remoted from his household within the States earlier than, however he appeared at peace interacting with previous family and friends.

Mike: I spent a few years being Greek Mike. Right here, I’m simply Mihalis. I need to be married as I actually am.
Ilana: Properly, I positively need you to really feel seen, particularly by me. However our marriage ceremony must be about each of us.

All of a sudden, Ilana needed to determine if she may transfer the world over.

Whereas “Love’s Greek to Me” was a rom-com, the 2 main women lit up the display screen.

Initially, Athena appeared by no means to take no for a solution as she grated on Ilana’s nerves.

She booked the church with out asking, purchased Ilana a marriage robe when she particularly stated she needed her mother to design hers and organized a cake tasting.

Athena, please. It’s essential respect my boundaries.

Ilana

She was so humorous when she started speaking about grandbabies and that the primary grandchild was named after the paternal grandfather.

Not like many future mothers-in-law, Athena wasn’t attempting to push Ilana away. She needed to welcome her into the fold with opens, only a bit too enthusiastically.

Because the film went on, you’ll be able to inform the distinction in interactions that Athena has with Mike’s sisters, Alex and Ilana, versus Ilena and her mom, Susie.

Alex loves her mom but additionally feels trapped in staying in Greece and serving to her with the enterprise due to household obligations. She envies Ilana, who’s shut pals along with her mother and asks her mother for all times recommendation.

Close to the top of the film, there is a shift in how Athena treats Alex when she asks her to be her enterprise accomplice on the new resort. She’s very happy with her daughter.

Alex, Ilana, and Athena realized precious classes about love and household. Since Ilana was additionally outspoken, she impressed Alex to alter her thoughts about her marriage ceremony flowers and robe on the final minute, and Alex seemed gorgeous.

Athena lastly informed her daughter how a lot she liked and revered her, then mended issues with Ilena.

She even invited Ilana’s mom to Greece, so Ilana had a shoulder to cry on whereas she dealt along with her relationship points.

Inviting Ilana’s mother to Greece simply confirmed that they felt like they had been a part of the household. It was an act of excellent religion and hopefully helped Ilana notice that her mother may go to if she and Mike stayed there.

“Love’s Greek to Me” jogged my memory of different fashionable movies, akin to “My Large Fats Greek Wedding ceremony” or “Mamma Mia,” when an enthusiastic Greek mom owns a resort in Greece and will get overly concerned within the marriage ceremony planning.

The Hallmark model labored since many scenes had been filmed on the Santorini coast, which means that Mike and Ilana visited precise landmarks within the movie.

Incorporating Greek mythology into the film was an fascinating contact as properly. The story of Aphrodite, her son Eros, and his spouse Psyche is a widely known one which parallels the central theme.

You have to respect Athena for recognizing that she behaved like a “monster-in-law” and striving to alter and sort things between her and Ilana. She solely cared about her son’s happiness.

Chris and Alex’s marriage ceremony was attractive, and I liked all of the Greek traditions, particularly the crowing ceremony.

Since each Alex and Chris and Mike and Ilana acquired married, I think this can be a one-off, however there was no affirmation.

DeVitto and Tsimitselis had been pleasant as romantic scene companions, and Siritis shined as Athena Atlas. We would like to see extra of the household as Mike and Ilana alter to life in Greece.

We love to listen to reader suggestions, so remark under if you would like to see extra of the Atlas household.

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