Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

My Review

“Under the Tuscan Sun” is a romantic comedy-drama about a California woman who impulsively buys a run-down villa in Tuscany, Italy, after a painful divorce. She begins a new life with new experiences, with not-so-new formulaic material from director-screenwriter Audrey Wells. It was adapted from the 1996 novel of the same name by Frances Mayes.

Diane Lane is the star of the show, and carries this so-so film to higher levels with her on-screen persona and superior acting skills. Co-stars include Sandra Oh, Jeffrey Tambor, Lindsay Duncan, Raoul Bova, Vicent Rotta, Mario Monicelli, Claudia Gerini, Elden Henson, Kate Walsh, and David Sutcliffe. The watchable “Under the Tuscan Sun” was successful in theatrical release for Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, and The Walt Disney Company. It was filmed primarily in the beautiful Tuscany region of Italy with excellent cinematography by Geoffrey Simpson.