Has life dealt you that final blow, has your whole world fallen apart, have you ever just wanted to start again, somewhere new. Then this film has it all.
This adapation of the Frances Mayes book Under the Tuscan Sun, is a beautiful film of comedy, drama and romance. It is a film that fills you with hope and inspires you to take on lifes challenges and if ever in doubt laugh.
Main Cast ______
Francis Mayes - Diane Lane Sandra Oh - Patti Lindsay Duncan - katherine Raoul Bova - Marcello Vincent Riotta - Martini Robert Nobile - Placido Kate Walsh - Grace Pawel Szajda - Pawel Valentine Pelka - Jerzy Sasa Vulicevic - Zbignew Massimo Sarchielle - Nino Cluadie Gerini - Signora Raguzzi
Although there are not many famous or well recognised names within the cast, in my opinion the actors give the film a strong sense of direction and each fit perfectly to the roles in which they play.
Plot _
Francis Mayes perfect life has just been thrown in turmoil after finding out that her husband has been having an affair, and now wishes for a divorce and the woman he has been seeing has become pregnant.
Francis moves out of her gorgeous house only taking two boxes of books her and moves in to what
can only be described as a hell hole, apartments full of people who are just passing through due to the awful hand that life has dealt them.
Francis however does have one thing she can full back on and that is her two gay best friends.
After finding out that her best friend is pregnant the pair produce tickest for Francis to go on a ten day trip to discover tuscany the only thing is that it is a gay trip to tuscany. Although Francis is reluctant to embark on such a vogue patti urges her that it just what she needs to break away from teh situation from home, do some sight seeing and everyone knowing on the tour that she is straight that she would be surrounded my friends and woudl not be hit on.
Once cuising the lanes of Tuscny on the gay coach she finds what she has been looking for a reason to start again, no not a lover, not a fortune but an old villa, requiring love attention and its a chance for her to start a new life.
It is obvious that the villa requires a lot of work, so she enlists the help of some polish immigrants. As the realationship grows with the builders so does the house and her cooking skills. She sees the polish workers as an addition to her family and she cares and nurtures them in both life and education.
Frances falls for a man Marcello, a seemingly good looking man full of promises and romance, but he turns out too be a two timing gigalo. Frabces is upset but does ploughs her emotions in to her extended family.
Then her best friens Patti arrives, who is heavey pregnant and is at a loose end, after her lesbian partner had split from her. Patti soon becomes part of the family and adopts Tuscany as her new home, and helps in whatever way she can.
By now the house is complete, Frances has a new family and she has all she needs apart from love, then walks in a man that shows there copuld be a possibility of a new love life for her.
Bit of Trivia ________
The director orginally wanted to cast real polish actors within the film, however time constraints meant this was not possible due to visa ec.
Awards ______
Under the Tuscan Sun was nominated for the following awards ...
Excellence in production Design Award 2004 GLAAD Media AWard 2004 Golden Globe 2004 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award 2004 Golden Satellite Award 2004
There are no doubts that all these awards were justified and in my personal opinion they shoudl not just have been nominees but winners.
Other data ________
Runtime = 113 minutes
Languages = English, Spanish, German, Italian, Polish, French
Sound Mix = DTS. Dobly Digital, SDDS
Certificate 12
Language = Once Strong Sex/Nudity = Infrequent, moderate Violnce = None Other = None
Price = £5.99 at present from most leading supermarkets
My Comments ___________
This is an excellent film that I have watched several times now. The storyline is excellent, actors amazing and scenery breath taking.
You can see yourself in the same senerios, i have been hurt by love as i am sure most of you have. Its just how you deal with the hurt and your emotions that count. Oh and this film makes you think twice about how you would handle the same situation again. Rather than sit there wrapped in your emotions use those emotions that passion to create something for yourself a new paradise.
There are so many comical moments that make the film a feel good film, but although there is romance it could never be classed as a chick flick. Scenes on the gay tour have you laughing out loud and you can feel what the characters emotions atre being thrust in to an un-comfortable position and trying to get the best from it.
There was a sense of light hearted fun about the film. You coudl imagine yourself in the same predicament and see the disasters unfold as if they were your own.
The director has used the setting well, and the amazaing landsacpe is folded out before you as if you were sitting upon the hill watching the whole story unfold.
Th e sound track is a bit non descript, its not something you really focus on within the film, which is often a good thing as it does not distract you from what is going on.
The only thing that I felt was missing was at the end, it felt rushed we never actually found out what happened to Frances's love life..... I am hoping for a sequel
If I were you buy the film, get some friends round and get out the wine and nachos and sit back and enjoy the story. You will laugh, cry, worry, realet and most of all be suprised at how the story unfolds. And at £5.99, its a steal.
Word of warning though you will be counting the pennies as was i to see if the dream coudl be possible for you.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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![Under The Tuscan Sun [DVD] [2004]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78495551.jpg "Under The Tuscan Sun [DVD] [2004]")
Apr 26th, 2006
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