Rating: 
Summary: Very realistic indeed!
Review: First, I must admit that I have and feel an admiration towards life style of people in Italy. Maybe because I was brought up with fast pace and more materialistic world, I find more simple and slow pacing life attractive. I also have to admit that I am helpless romantic. I think the situation in this movie may not be so realistic(like how many of us can afford to purchase and move to oversea????), but the underlying philosophy of life in this film is true to our life. Taking a risk by following your heart, or feeling that moves you greatly, is a first step for obtaining what you want in your life. This is also true for romance. This is not a Cynderella story but very realistic romantic film of life to me.
Rating: 
Summary: Non vero Italia!
Review: This not a window into Italy, but rather an American contrivance of Italy. Cliches abound. Comedy forced. I have disowned all who claim to even mildly enjoy this movie. Questa film e' merda.
Rating: 
Summary: Good scenery!
Review: Ok, the story may be a little slow and unrealistic and all that, but I actually enjoyed it. Movies that are slow-paced without containing violence or a murder du jour are refreshing in this day and age. Plus the scenery can't be beat. Debbie Farmer, syndicated parenting author of,'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat'
Rating:
Summary: Diane Lane renovates a villa and her life in Tuscany
Review: This movie has two things going for it that are quite appealing to me. One is Diane Lane because we are now both old enough that I do not have to feel guilty about having a crush on her in 1979 when she was barely a teenager and I was in graduate school. The other is Tuscany, because films like this are siren calls for tourists, especially if half the blood flowing in your veins is Italian in the first place. As a result of those twin forces I probably had higher expectations for this film than is warranted by what director Audrey Wells has put together.The story is relatively simple. Frances Mayes is a writer and critic who finds out her husband is having an affair. There is more injury to add to this insult in terms of divorce, alimony that she owes him, and the loss of her house. With nothing better to do Frances is sent by her friend Patti (Sandra Oh) on a gay bus tour of Tuscany where she stumbles across a nice little villa for sale. Frances knows that the way her life is going buying it would be a terrible idea. But an eccentric expatriate named Katherine (Lindsay Duncan) tells her, "Don't you just love those?" So it comes to pass that Frances buys a Italian villa that is in as much need of repair as her own shattered life. The villa is obviously the master metaphor in this film for the main character, but Wells does not spend as much time on it as she should. Maybe it is because Bob Villa and all of those who have followed in his wake have been the restoration of old homes a familiar experience for us. One of the deleted scenes on the DVD shows the discovery of the fresco on one of the villa's walls, which is exactly the sort of detail that we want to enjoy. We know that this house will be a home by the end of the film, so it is the process of transformation that matters, especially as it parallels that of Frances herself. This movie wants to be unconventional. At one point Frances unburdens herself and is told by the compassionate man to whom she is speaking: "Signora, please stop being so sad. If you continue like this, I will be forced to make love to you, and I've never been unfaithful to my wife." This movie is not Katharine Hepburn's trip to Italy in "Summertime." For those who are waiting expectantly for the new man in Frances' life to come walking through the door, this film is going to tease you in that regard until you are forced to think that maybe something else is happening here. I know that Wells took great liberties with the book written by the real Frances Mayes, who restored an abandoned villa in Italy without the motivation of a brutal divorce, but since the author did not complain and I have not read the book I have no reason to complain on that score. Instead I will point to the fact this film is only 102 minutes long and that if this film had clocked in close to two hours Wells would have been able to flesh out the restoration of the villa and the eccentric neighbors that become so important in the cinematic Frances' new life as she goes native. The end of the film recognizes the importance of those two elements, but they are often overwhelmed over the course of "Under the Tuscan Sun" by the less than satisfactory romantic elements. Fortunately Lane's performance forgives many of the fault's of the script and shows that after her Oscar nominated performance in "Unfaithful" that she now has some serious momentum going on in her acting career. She is so busy being at the center of this story of how Frances puts her life back together than both the character and the audience are surprised by the arrival of the requisite happy ending. In the final analysis "Under the Tuscan Sun" is not going to convert anyone. Confirmed romantics are going to find enough of what they crave in this film to make themselves happy and those who roll their eyes at such endeavors will have ample occasion to keep their orbs spinning. Those who read Mayes' novel will be wondering why they even bothered to keep her name for the main character and those who are fans of Diane Lane will simply be ecstatic to see her name appearing above the title.
Rating:
Summary: A bit unrealistic + controversial, but enjoyable nonetheless
Review: This is the story of a recently divorced writer (Diane Lane), who decides to "deal" with her separation by taking on the invitation of her friends to go on a "Gay & Away" tour of Tuscany, which makes her fall in love with a Tuscan villa and decide to stay there. (some spoilers ahead: consider yourself warned)
I have to agree with those that say the movie is a bit unrealistic (surrealist, I'd almost say, at some points -those Tuscan landscapes kill me!). One of the things that kept bugging me about the movie was how much money must the character have made off of her divorce, to be able buy and remodel a Tuscan villa while not working for a living. On the side, I can see how some people would find objectionable the fact that, in essence, the divorce of the main character is largely compared with the breakup between her friend Patti and her lesbian partner later in the movie. As a matter of fact, this and the introduction of her partner as an open character in the movie, are elements that make me dismiss this movie as being your typical "pink", "sunday afternoon" chick flick, which I really appreciate in times when the whole gay marriage controversy is being addressed more openly. In that sense, the movie goes along with the times, as much as you may differ in criteria with the values it promotes. As a whole, controversial in some ways and unrealistic as it results at times, the movie results enjoyable, with landscapes of the Tuscan hills and beautiful views of the Mediterranean accentuating a nice performance by Diane Lane.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable & Light
Review: When I go to the movies, I go to relax and enjoy a break from everday life. Who cares if it is realisitc or not. Being a romantic comedy buff, I found this movie entertaining and refreshing. Anyone who wants to enjoy a light movie will enjoy this film.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone...granted...
Review: Alright first of all yes I am a man, and yes I did go see this movie to please my girlfriend, however I liked it so much that I ended up buying her the DVD...just so I could watch it again. The story in itself is pretty much standard if you take away some of the twists, girl by herself, girls meets guy, seems to lose guy, but everything works out in the end....nothing too shocking there for I have to say that not only does Diane Lane make the movie work she actually makes it enjoyable to watch. First of all as someone who has traveled through Italy I felt the way the country was depicted was amazing, there are some stunning visuals in this movie that will make you want to book the first flight to Tuscany, incredibly stunning landscape. I believe that this movie has a great combination of humor, romance, a little drama and some feel-good attitude. Although it might have gone a little too long for my taste (hence the 4 stars instead of 5) I believe that watching Diane Lane fixing up the house and then experiencing Tuscany is a journey that is pleasurable to watch from start to finish, if you are a woman and want to watch a movie that is going to make you feel good, this is the one...and guys if you have an anniversary coming up and you already bought her Sleepless in Seattle last year then I can recommend this one, I have a feeling she'll like it.
Rating:
Summary: The best chick flick in a long time!
Review: I am peturbed that Amazon would spotlight two bad reviews. This was an awesome movie that kept me watching it from beginning to end. I haven't read the book, but after watching that movie, I do intend to. It's amazing how uplifting this spirited movie was. Diane Lane was supurb without coming across as trying too much. We never get to see her husband "Tom" who screwed her over royally in the divorce, which I think was a good decision. The movie stays in the present looking ahead to the future with a sense of hope and promise. Pick up this movie for an excellent movie night - even if you're not a chick!
Rating:
Summary: A great film with a great actress in DIANE LANE
Review: A great film with a great actress in DIANE LANE This is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable films that I have seen all year. The acting by Oscar nominee DIANE LANE (Unfaithful, Perfect Storm) is magical and she deservedly won a Golden Globe for her performance in this great movie about finding a second chance. It is so well mad and so well observed. The humor is very good and there are several hilarious bits and some very touching and powerful bits too. I loved this film and felt that it passed the two hours so well and nicely. The story was heartwarming and the visual style and scenery was breath-taking. This is a great movie with the great DIANE LANE in great form. A brilliant movie that isn't too slushy. Just right!
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME MOVIE GETTING BAD RAP
Review: this movie is a great movie! although it isnt entirely like the book, which i have read, no books are exactly like the movie. people who are so obsessed with politically-correct-ness or whatever need to chill. she has an asian best friend and who cares if they casted an asian woman for being politically correct or not? she was clearly a good person for the part. this was an awesome movie that is getting an awful bad rap.
| 
