Product: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Rating: 4.0
Diane Lane's star shines brightly
Welcome to Tuscany - a region of Italy known for its breathtaking old-world scenery, charming people, and the plumpest grapes, which are used to produce the finest bouquet of wines this side of Napa Valley. This is also the place where a recently divorced, down on her luck writer, Frances (Diane Lane) retreats (at the request of friends) to begin a life anew, free from her recent setback...or so Frances thought. Our young writer's problems really begin to take shape as soon as she purchases a 300 year old house, located on the edge of a fairly modest village in the Tuscan countryside. Once settled in, Frances finds that she gets more than she bargained for, including a relationship with a suave, handsome Italian corner store owner (Raoul Bova). Frances' relationship with this attracive young individual is one of the most touching moments of "Under The Tuscan Sun". Sandra Oh gives a rather dramatic performance as Frances' best friend, who, is as surprised and as shocked as anyone, when she learns of Frances' decision that she has bought an old, broken down slum of a dilapidated heap of a house, therefore wondering if Frances' brain was on autopilot when making such a spur-of-the-moment decision! Ah, but as is sometimes the case, there is indeed a silver lining tucked beneath this ominously dark cloud, for our temporarliy displaced writer does not travel this journey alone. Also along on this Tuscan sojourn, are a family of Polish immigrants (who work cheaply and dilgently in struggling to get the house in order), as well as a worldly English woman (who, like Eric Idle's character in "National Lampoon's European Vacation", pops up unexpectedly). There are also other living things on this journey as well - in the form of arachnids and slimey reptiles. Blecch! With so much taking place in its two hours of undisputed mayhem and glory, "Under The Tuscan Sun" combines the melodrama of a soap opera, with the wit and wisdom of an intellectual novel (upon which this picture is based). You'll need a handkerchief handy while sitting through some of this film's most touching moments. Like Tuscany's many winding pathways contained in many of its villages, there's always a maze of adventure and excitement just waiting "under the sun". Reserve your ticket (at a bargain basement price) at a theater near you soon...that is, while supplies last! Oh, and the Tuscan cuisine is mouth-watering, too.