Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, sexy stuff in romance exploring Black experience.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
From Scratch
What's the Story?
In FROM SCRATCH, Amy (Zoe Saldaña, Vivo, Avatar) is a law school student who takes a detour in her education to enroll in a six-week art course in Florence, Italy. She's driven to her apartment by a spliff-smoking, English-speaking bartender (Ruby Kammer) who advises her to "stay away from Americans." She takes art classes, explores the city with handsome Italian men, parties with her American roommate, and meets someone very special. Will her parents give her the room to discover herself that she needs? Will her budding relationship stand the twists and turns that life is sure to throw their way? How will she manage the differences in culture and background between her sweetheart and her family?
Is It Any Good?
Soapy yet gorgeous, sappy yet sad, empowering yet predictable, this series has great bones, but the script doesn't allow true poetic moments. Like the handsome and insistent Florentine man courting the main character at the start of the series, From Scratch woos with good looks, and promises substance, but lacks that certain something.
The Americans in the show suffer from a wee case of superficiality. Lack of experience in a foreign country isn't something to brag about, people! But great acting from Eugenio Mastrandrea, who plays Lino, lends depth to the show. Fans of romance will enjoy this one most. The language, drinking, and sexy stuff makes it more appropriate for older teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role curiosity plays in From Scratch. Does making art keep people curious about their surroundings?
Travel and self-discovery are themes in this show. Which shows or books have inspired you to explore the world?
The characters make phone calls at a public phone. How did people manage without mobile phones? In what ways do they affect how we think and behave?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 21, 2022
- Cast : Eugenio Mastrandrea , Zoe Saldana , Danielle Deadwyler
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Activism , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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