Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: GREAT ENTERTAINMENT. GORGEOUS MOVIE!
Review: What a great movie! Entertaining and enjoyable with some very, very funny moments and great acting by Diane Lane. The film is so beautiful to look at on the bigscreen and the story is beautiful and avoids any cliches or sentimentality. A great movie. Very recommnded indeed! 5 stars.

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Summary: "Rome Adventure" Redux
Review: In 1962,Suzanne Pleshette starred in Rome Adventure, the tale of an idealistic American girl's search for love in romantic Italy. It has been updated for the new millennium, with the lovely and earthy Diane Lane as the heroine and the incredibly lovely scenery of the Italian countryside.

Lane sets off for a Tuscan vacation after her divorce, falls in love with the beauty and quaintness of the place, jumps off the tour bus, and buys a broken-down villa. She merrily fixes up the house, is befriended by all the usual loveable village stereotypes, is joined by her pregnant lesbian buddy, and chases full speed ahead after her romantic dreams. Along the way, there are lots of heart-warming moments of self-discovery, and all ends happily (of course).

This is the quintessential chick-flick: It is a fairytale where anything is possible, and one never doubts for a moment that the princess will indeed find love (of many kinds). What separates this film from the ordinary romantic comedy is Diane Lane's talent. She is utterly believable as the plucky and self-reliant modern woman with stars in her eyes. She looks like a real woman, too; lusty as well as practical, an idealist who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.

The exquisite location photography may well start a boom in Tuscan tourism. The villages and landscapes are simply gorgeous, and based on this movie, I think a long trip to Italy sounds very good! If you like predictable romantic comedy with stunning scenery and an intelligent star, "Under the Tuscan Sun" is for you.

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Summary: A charming and delightful film !
Review: Not having read the book, I enjoyed this movie with a no preconceptions. It is engaging and humorous, beautiful countryside and made me want to follow in Frances' footsteps. I saw it at the Sneak Preview and will see it again for sure.

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Summary: A magical film that is easy on the eyes
Review: UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN is a fantastic film that is chock-full of some classic moments. It has some great funny scenes (not in trailer incase your asking) and some very powerful dramatic moments as well. Diane Lane as the films heroine equips herself very well and just when you think the film might become cliched it sidesteps and keeps on going in it's own stylish way. Beautiful to look at on the big screen as well. Fantastic film and look for Lane to get Oscar recognition again.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic little gem of a film. Diane Lane is awesome!
Review: We loved this film. Funny and entertaining it's a fantastic little gem of a film. Diane Lane is awesome and the Tuscan country looks beautiful.

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Summary: Are you KIDDING ME????
Review: Frances Mayes sold out! She sold the title of her best seller book to hollywood and they used it to create romance novel drivel! It contains very little her sweet, beautiful tribute to Tuscany. What a shame! While I liked Diane Lane I was completely disappointed in this movie.

Rating:
Summary: A stunning, beautiful film! Gorgeous!
Review: This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen in my life. Everything about this film is cool, entertaining, enjoyable and stunning to look at. The scenery is gorgeous and Diane Lane delivers one of the years best performances. I hear Oscar calling!? This is a stunning film that is not only different from the normal rom-com, but a refreshing and enjoyable ride through what life is to all of us. Well done to everyone involved! Stunning!

Rating:
Summary: Come for Diane Lane. Stay for a cute movie.
Review: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2003 (SNEAK PREVIEW)--After her amazing, Oscar-nominated turn in "Unfaithful," I was hoping that the Hollywood system would give Diane Lane a chance at real stardom, and it has arrived with "Under The Tuscan Sun." A perfect star vehicle, the film is laid-back and charmingly funny, and it casts Lane as something believable: a near-40 writer going through a midlife crisis after her divorce. It's nice to see that studios can finally find a decent place for her after dumping her into the shoes of far too many ill-fitting characters: an abused, drug-addled wife in the horrible "Glass House," a secret-service agent (!) in the "thriller" "Murder At 1600," and many more forgettable fictional ciphers. Now, Lane's first true chance at leading role stardom has arrived, and it's about darn time. The story finds author Frances Mayes (Lane) taking an impromptu trip to Tuscany, where she buys an old, run-down house on impulse, and, after her relocation there is finalized, she begins to meet a colorful array of characters, including her strange Polish handymen (who help rebuild the house), her pleasant Italian neighbors, and a strange, older white woman (Lindsay Duncan) who becomes her guide. While this woman, Katherine, may seem like an odd character at first, her place in the story is a necessity. Subconsciously, Frances sees in Katherine a deep happiness that has come with surviving life in a foreign country for so long and therefore believes she must have all the secrets to doing so. Of course, as Frances learns, making it in Italy is something she's going to have to figure out for herself. While I did quite enjoy this movie, and its house-repairing metaphor for life-rebuilding, I'm sad to say it's far from perfect. While appreciably warm, it does tend towards sap at times, most egregiously in the subplot involving two young lovebirds straight out of the worst '70s romances. Also, things can be slow at times, and while there are plenty of laughs, you won't find yourself doubled over in hysterics at any point. Still, I would certainly recommend the film to anyone. It's fun and lighthearted, and Diane Lane is pitch-perfect, hitting every comic moment and dramatic footnote with amazing skill and accuracy. As well, watch out for Sandra Oh as Frances' best friend Patti, a strong-willed, pregnant lesbian with perfect comic timing.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely, lovely, joyful romp through Tuscany
Review: Diane Lane is amazing in this lovely, joyful romp through the glorious Tuscany region of Italy. This is a heartfelt and deeply affecting film that will live on long after the final credits have rolled. This film will make you go home and pack your bags for the beautiful scenery on view. The acting is top-notch with Diane Lane giving yet another Oscar calibre performance (remember last years' "Unfaithful"?!) and she carries the film really well. Everyone else I saw this film with absolutely loved it and I'm sure it will be a big hit if given the chance. It deserves to be as it is a really enjoyable and lovely romp through Tuscany and all it's charms. Highly recommended indeed.

Rating:
Summary: A truly beautiful film. The best film this year so far.
Review: I was blown away by how wonderful this moving and funny film was. It has everything you could want. Drama, comedy, great acting and beautiful landscapes and music. Diane Lane should win another Oscar nomination for her great work here and the supporting cast were superb with their often quirky portrayals. The film is sweet but not cliched and there is nothing at all the fault it on. A faultless and beautiful film. The best of the year in my opinion. It's a 10!