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Under the Tuscan Sun

Watching Under the Tuscan Sun is like being on vacation there. All right, not entirely, not even close, but the beauty, warmth, and magic it conveyed was mesmerizing, and truthfully made me feel good watching it. This is a stunning movie with gorgeous cinematography and such a charming story line that is based on Frances Mayes's 1996 memoir. It touched my heart in many sentimental ways, as I could see myself relating to certain situations that the character herself was going through. The movie not only shows the beauty of the land, including the incredible field of sunflowers, which grow like a dream, but the beauty inside ones soul, and the journey that it takes to reach your heart in a way that makes you see, as well as, feel happiness.

Frances Mayes (Diane Lane), an author and book critic, living in San Francisco whose life has been so consumed through her work, has recently found out in a cruel way, that her husband has been carrying on with another woman, and truly never did love her. Due to the years of supporting her husband's own writing endeavors, while Frances, herself, carried the brunt of home life responsibilities, her husbands seeks financial support and wants the house which Frances just adores, and has had renovations done to it with the help of her mother.

The hurt of the divorce is so painful, that Frances at her most distraught feels that when a heart is broken, it should surly feel like death approaching, because it is such a painful thing to go through.

To help Frances get through this awful time, her best friend Patti (Sandra Oh) and her partner who have found out their pregnancy, offer Frances their 10-day romantic trip to Tuscany. The trip won't put any undue pressure on Frances since the trip is for gay and lesbian couples.

Once Frances arrives in Tuscany, she is immediately overcome with such a joyful connection to the beauty of Tuscany that Frances decides to buy a villa that as beautiful as it is, needs some mending just like Frances herself does.

Realtor Martini (Vincent Riotta) who has helped Frances with the undergoing of renovations on her home by helping her find a bunch of very determined, mesh mashed personalities, including Jerzy (Valentine Pelka) who doesn't speak, but his eyes droll for Frances. Pawel (Pawel Szadja) who's in love with a local girl named Chiara (Giulia Steigerwalt) and whose parents don't want the two love birds to be together. They all have something quite special to bring into Frances life, as will Frances for them.

It would seem like Martini and Frances could make each other very happy by their supportive and warmly comforting conversations they have with one another. But, Martini is married and loves his wife and family, and friendship only, is what Martini wants for him and Frances. It's what has to be because he has never been unfaithful to his wife.

A passionate and lusty romance will bloom for Frances at the hands of a very handsome and likable antiques dealer named Marcello (Raoul Bova) whom Frances met one day while looking for directions. With forwardness and courage, Frances makes the first move to take Marcello as her lover and finds out that he really is a good guy. But, is she the right woman for him? Frances will also find friendship and gain valuable information from a very well known and eccentric woman named Katherine (Lindsay Duncan) who can still strut like a peacock and speak from her most precious of accompaniments--living life! Frances's newfound life will be tested, and only then will she truly see what she has gained from all of the changes in her new life, along with what has truly been important and longed for. All which will show their faces in many different ways. But, will love, romantic love that is, be something tangible that Frances can re-build her broken heart with?

I fell in love with this sun-kissed, romantic and lovely movie. Ah, I think I need a vacation. Now if only I wasn't afraid to fly, I'd book myself a flight to Tuscany.

With the enchanting, lively, and charming characters portrayed throughout the movie, including places that have no clearly defined meaning (such as the old man with the flowers) works because the curiosity and emotional presence surrounding it is strong and is presented so thoughtfully.

A fine assemble of actors and actress made Under the Tuscan Sun a delightful movie to watch. I really enjoyed Riotta's quiet persona and family man morals that were shaken up a bit with his attraction to Frances. What a gentleman, and yes, a friend he turned out to be. Sandra Oh, added just the right amount of crack-ups and sensitivity. Lane's quench thirsting performance to give her life a second chance and more is a wonderfully full, rich, deep breath, and exhaling of strength and admiration!

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 8.93
Reader's Votes: 14

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