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It's the polar opposite of your typical guy flick like, say, The Rundown. Because, unlike movies that feature enraged monkeys, pro wrestlers, loud explosions and testosterone by the bucketsful, Under The Tuscan Sun is a quiet, thoughtful movie. It takes its time developing its characters and it's full of beautiful shots of lush Italian scenery. It also features romance, wry comedy and complicated female characters.
And we liked it -- a lot. Remember, this is coming from a guy. The type of guy who likes watching things blow up real good and Spider-Man beating the crap out of supervillains and obnoxious frat boys eating dog poop while pretending it's chocolate, as in American Wedding. Now that's comedy gold.
But sometimes, you've gotta get in touch with your sensitive side. And Under The Tuscan Sun is just what the doctor ordered: It's a splendid film that features a great turn from leading lady Diane Lane. She plays Frances, a writer who's unceremoniously dumped by her husband. As her life spins out of control, she moves into a depressing apartment for the recently divorced. That's when her worried, pregnant lesbian friend Patti (a very funny Sandra Oh) sends Frances on a trip to Tuscany.
While there, Frances acts on a whim: She decides to buy a dilapidated villa and restore it -- and her life -- back to their former glory. She's helped in this task by three Polish workers, the youngest to whom, Pawel (Pawel Szadja), she becomes a mother figure. Meanwhile, friendly locals like the realtor Mr. Martini (Vincent Riotta), the breezily liberated crackpot Katherine (Lindsay Duncan) and hunky antiques dealer Marcello (Raoul Bova) help her settle into Italian life -- and maybe find romance, too.
Under The Tuscan Sun is based on the memoir by Frances Mayes, although aspects of the story have been changed for dramatic effect. It's an episodic film from the fine writer/director Audrey Wells (who penned that other great chick flick, The Truth About Cats And Dogs) that follows Frances on one misadventure after another as she looks for happiness and a good man.
Romantic comedies are one of Hollywood's most tired, formulaic genres -- and Under The Tuscan Sun follows the formula pretty closely. But it still isn't completely predictable, and the performances are terrific, especially the wonderful Lane, who deftly conveys weariness, desperation, vulnerability and sexiness at various turns.
She's a looker, all right, and may be the perfect selling point for women trying to lure their football-watching, beer-swilling husbands and boyfriends to see it. Let the film do the rest.
(This film is rated PG)