Under the Tuscan Sun - Review

I love this movie, Under the Tuscan Sun (or Sotto il sole della Toscana in Italian) It is rich, gently textured, unpredictable, nurturing and satisfying. It is a movie with such memorable quotes such as:

• A fountain and a magnum of champagne will always set you right
• I am going to make love all over you!
• Regrets are a waste of time. They’re the past crippling you in the present.
• Any arbitrary turning along the way, and I would be elsewhere. I would be different.

This comedy and drama movie is about a woman named Frances (played by Diane Lane) who, divorced from her husband, becomes very depressed and goes to Tuscany Italy with a tour group. While she is there she impulsively buys an old villa with all her savings, and she has a wish. Her wish is that there will be a wedding at the villa and a family too. And it is the rich story and excellent acting that leads her to the fulfilling of those wishes.

The acting is well done. Diane Lane, as Frances, is excellent as the novelist turned general contractor as she works with a polish speaking contractors, in Italy, to bring the suddenly bought house to life. The story and scenes of that subplot will make any homeowner wince in empathy. But that’s not the only thing Frances is up to as romance, unexpected visits and further plots twists are weaved through the movie. The movie has a gentle but not slow pace. It’s carefully crafted and best enjoyed with wine.

There are many memorable scenes, among them:
* Francis grabbing the arm of a strange man to avoid some other Italian “admirers” from stalking her. Her choice in a stranger leads her in a path in life that she didn’t expect
* The collapse of the main wall in the house during the construction. It’s priceless.
* The incredible “luck” of Frances, now living in Italy, unable to speak Italian, who has hired Polish laborers, and she doesn’t speak Polish either.
* Katherine, her ex pat British friend, who poses naked for her artist friend 20 years her junior and then invites Frances up just to say hello.

Under the Tuscan Sun was nominated for a Golden Globe award and won the GLAAD Media Award. It stars Diane Lane, Sandra Oh, Raoul Bova and Lindsay Duncan.

I’ll end with the best quote from the movie, by Frances:

What are four walls, anyway? They are what they contain. The house protects the dreamer. Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game. It’s such a surprise.

Guy warning, it’s mostly a chic flick, so girls, get your friends together for this one and bring the wine, chocolate and tissues. The tears you’ll shed are not in saddness but for how your heart is touched by this wonderful movie.