Maschile Plurale (Italian) [Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake]

This film is the follow-up to 2021’s Mascarpone, which I really enjoyed, so my expectations for the sequel were quite high. To recap, in the original, Antonio breaks up with his husband and moves in with a sex worker named Denis. Denis helps him land a job as an apprentice baker with Luca, leading to a romantic relationship that includes threesomes until Denis’s untimely death. The sequel picks up three years later.

Now, Antonio has become a successful celebrity pastry chef and food influencer with a substantial Instagram following. He hasn’t seen Luca since Denis passed away, and his dating life has been lackluster as he focused on his career. One day, Luca walks into his café, and they reconnect. Luca has faced challenges over the past three years, losing his bakery but now thriving as a youth worker at an LGBTQ homeless refuge, engaged to his boyfriend Tancredi.

Realizing he still has feelings for Luca, Antonio decides to sabotage Luca’s relationship with Tancredi to win him back. He proposes a business partnership to reopen Luca’s bakery, mistakenly interpreting Luca’s kindness as romantic interest. As things unfold, Antonio’s friends help him see that he’s becoming bitter and arrogant, jeopardizing a happy couple for his own desires. Ultimately, he recognizes the need to let go of the past and embrace the future.

I remember noting in my review of the original that the cast was attractive, and that holds true here—both Antonio and Luca remain incredibly appealing. I wasn’t a fan of the actor playing Tancredi, but his character was significant and well-written. The film retains the vibrant style of the original, featuring a handsome cast, vivid colors, delectable desserts, and humor that emerges from unexpected situations and expressions. Side characters, like Antonio’s funny female accountant friend and Ricky, a troubled youth from the refuge, add depth and realism to the story.

I appreciate how Italian films often showcase flawed characters, and this one is no exception. It portrays Antonio’s struggle as he unwittingly becomes consumed by his desire to reclaim his first love, despite Luca having moved on. As viewers, we know what the right choice is, especially when we learn about Luca’s bakery struggles, yet we can’t help but root for the two attractive leads to find happiness together. The film concludes fittingly, leaving the door open for a potential sequel where a new, handsome character could enter Antonio’s life.