Astrology fans, look no further. “An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts” on Netflix is the perfect watch for anyone who might be going through something and is looking to the stars for help.
The six-episode Italian series is based on the novel of the same name, by Silvia Zucca, and follows a young woman, Alice (Claudia Gusmano), who is heartbroken after learning of her ex-boyfriend’s engagement to his pregnant girlfriend. The next day, she befriends a friendly actor named Tio (Lorenzo Adorni), who is an avid astrologist that helps her search for a new person with whom she is astrologically compatible. Alice, who is a Libra, meets a myriad of men of different zodiac signs, including Aries, Cancer, and Gemini. Thus, the show seems to pose the question of “can one only find love if it’s with someone they are astrologically compatible with?”
Since this is an Italian show, no character ever speaks English. Surprisingly, this makes for a very refreshing watch. Seeing a rom-com that portrays a young woman in a vastly different country than the U.S. and how she handles love and relationships within her culture allows for a more exciting experience. The show itself isn’t the most binge-worthy series you can find. However, it manages to take a basic plot, introduce such a popular yet unique theme as astrology, and create a quick wholesome and quirky show that can take one’s mind off their own troubles.
As a Libra myself and someone who would love to have the same job as Alice does one day, I saw a lot of myself in her as I watched each episode. She’s naive and gets overwhelmed easily, but she also knows what she deserves and can learn to be proud of her little quirks. The show would simply not work without Alice’s awkward experiences and the charm that Gusmano brings to her.
The acting in this show, well, it’s not Oscar worthy that’s for sure. But not every show has to have impeccable acting for it to still resonate. Each episode manages to induce a smile, if not laugh, and the Bridget Jones Diary vibe of it all makes it the perfect show to watch when you are on the verge of calling your ex.
So, does falling in love really depend on star sign compatibility? Even this show doesn’t have the answer to that. But that’s exactly what makes this such a fun and simple watch. For most people, there’s so much more to life and who you are as a person than to just look at the stars. But being a part of Gen Z, it can be entertaining and relieving to look for answers to your life that aren’t taught by your parents or at school. As one of the first rom-coms to focus around astrology, any person who finds themselves looking at the stars is for sure to find a sense of appreciation for this show. With a cliffhanger of an ending and only six episodes and 12 zodiac signs, there’s a strong possibility that a new season will be in the works soon.
“An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts” is available to stream on Netflix.
By Cyna Mirzai