Movie Views...with Mark Moorehead
‘Under the Tuscan Sun’

 

General Audiences: B-
Light romantic comedy for adults. No language or nudity. If you’ve read the book it’s a “must see.”

Family Audiences: B-
Leave the kids home unless they’re teenagers with a penchant for European love affairs. PG-13

Northern Italy’s potent combination of beauty and Old World charm casts its spell on newly divorced writer Frances Mayes (played by Diane Lane) in Under the Tuscan Sun.

After Mayes splits from an unseen ex-husband, she briefly battles rejection and depression until her best friend Patti (Sandra Oh) convinces her to accept the gift that keeps on giving-- a 10-day trip to Tuscany. That sure beats a box of Krispy Kreme donuts or a blind date from hell. We should all have friends as generous as Patti.

While in Tuscany, Frances succeeds in avoiding the post-vacation blues by impulsively buying a fixer-upper villa in a hilltop town straight out of one of Michelangelo’s paintings. Signor Martini (played by Vincent Riotta), the kind Realtor who helps her with the sale, falls in love with her.

However, being an honorable, married man, he resists temptation by talking to her about religion and philosophy. (Faced with the same dilemma, Martini’s American counterpart would have talked about sports or offered to pop for the cost of the home warranty. This explains why contemporary American males are rarely characters in romance novels.)

Soon the villa restoration project is finished, barring any code violations. Yet, it is empty and lifeless until Frances has an accidental and timely meeting with Marcelo (played by Raoul Bova), a tall, dark and handsome stereotypical Latin lover.

Marcelo, who owns a restaurant on the beach, gets lucky with Frances, and they hit it off splendidly.

In fact, most of the people in this quaint little town hit it off with Frances. Everyone loves Frances, and she loves them in return, including the policeman and the flower salesman. Unfortunately, there are a few necessary snags along the way to round out this light romantic comedy. Just keep in mind it is very light on comedy and heavy on romance. And, if just looking at Marcelo is sufficient, then you need not concern yourself with any of the predictable plot devices and overly helpful contractors.

Under the Tuscan Sun is based on the autobiographical book of the same title by author Frances Mayes.

The story of Mayes life and her remodeling project was on the New York Times Bestseller List for 126 consecutive weeks.

Oddly enough, Mayes real Tuscan villa is even more beautiful than the one in the film. Fans are making pilgrimages to photograph the multi-storied, earth-toned former fixer-upper with overflowing flower boxes and statuesque cyprus trees.

What is missing in this film is the lack of depth in the development in the characters we should care more about. Only Frances’ friend Patti is able to peel away those layers that expose the complexity and vulnerability within us all when things go bad in our lives. However, in spite of the lack of inspiring performances, Under the Tuscan Sun succeeds in conveying an inspiring message that everyone has the power within to overcome adversity, take chances and seek a little adventure if we just say “yes.”

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