Product: Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Rating: 5.0
Improves with multiple viewings
This is the rare film that is just okay the first time you watch it, then pretty good the second time, really fun the third, and a pure pleasure the fourth and every time thereafter. The first time I saw this film, I found it to be a somewhat mediocre mid-life crisis story (which I can't really appreciate, being only 25). Now, though, it's one of my all-time favorite films.Most of this is owed to Diane Lane and the stunning scenery of Italy, which seems itself a character in the film. There's something extraordinary about watching a person overcome her own total destruction, as Frances does. Furthermore, while I generally hate "journey of self-discovery" movies, this one works simply because it recognizes two truths: no one can love you if you can't love yourself, and loving others is the expression of that self-love. When Frances is selfish, it doesn't work out. When she's giving, all her dreams come true. Cheesy, maybe, but fantastic.The music is excellent, and the pacing highly appropriate. Finally, on a more shallow note, there are a lot of hot men in this movie. Pawel in particular is well worth at least one viewing of the movie for the ladies!