Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

61% of critics liked it
(144 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(61,668 ratings)

A woman starts her life over with a new home in a new land in this romantic comedy drama . Frances (Diane Lane) is a writer in her mid-'30s who feels emotionally derailed after her divorce. Unhappy and unable to write, she isn't sure what to do with her life, and her best friend Patti (Sandra Oh)… More A woman starts her life over with a new home in a new land in this romantic comedy drama . Frances (Diane Lane) is a writer in her mid-'30s who feels emotionally derailed after her divorce. Unhappy and unable to write, she isn't sure what to do with her life, and her best friend Patti (Sandra Oh) decides she needs some time away from her problems. With that in mind, Patti gives Frances a ticket for a two-week tour of the Tuscany region of Italy; while there, Frances finds a dilapidated old villa. Charmed by the warmth, beauty, and charm of the small town of Cortona, Frances impulsively decides to buy the villa, thinking she can fix it up herself. The home proves to be more of a handyman's special than she imagined, but as she slowly gets the hang of household maintenance, Italian style, Frances develops a new confidence as she makes friends with her neighbors and finds love with a handsome local named Marcello (Raoul Bova). Under the Tuscan Sun is loosely adapted from the memoir by Frances Mayes, who (unlike the leading character of the film) remained happily married during her sojourn in Tuscany. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Audrey Wells
Written By: Audrey Wells
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 26, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 2004
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Rex Reed, New York Observer
The epitome of what a feel-good movie is supposed to be but rarely is, this one is beautiful to look at and life-affirming to think about, and it doesn't have a pretentious bone in its head.
David Edelstein, Slate
The movie is sweet but deeply suspect: It's like Lost Horizon re-imagined by a realtor.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
... some of the most beautiful photography in any film I've seen this year.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Under the Tuscan Sun pretends to be juicy, but it doesn't allow any dribbles. It purports to make love all over us, but not without laying down lots of paper towels first.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Has about as much in common with Frances Mayes as it does with Willie Mays, but it does have the marvelous Diane Lane.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
It is a glorious refreshment to spend time with characters who aren't twenty-something eye bait, someone's virtuous, whiny wife or other reductive archetypes.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Not much for teens in this book adaptation.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
a romantic abomination wherein the main character's best friend is a pregnant Asian lesbian who comes to Italy to visit and ends up ruining the story's only semi-romantic aspect, and extends its painful length for an extra half-hour in the process.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Fans of Diane Lane ... should be happy with what amounts to a glowing vehicle for her.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...as lightweight and fluffy as the premise might've indicated.
James Plath, Reel.com
No textbook romantic comedy, Sun conforms to what post-divorcees hear in support groups: don't look for someone to make you happy until you can be happy with yourself
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus
Diane Lane is charming in this witty but difficult adventure.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
En la vida real la gente no suele ser tan impulsiva. Por eso películas como ésta son disfrutables: nos ofrecen la fantasía de lo que sería nuestra vida si nos animáramos.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Chris W

This is a cliched and silly chick flick, but the performances are not too bad, and the scenery is quite nice. It's not terrible, but it's also not really my type of movie. Having been to Tuscany though, I can say this movie actually meant something to me, and hell,… More
This is a cliched and silly chick flick, but the performances are not too bad, and the scenery is quite nice. It's not terrible, but it's also not really my type of movie. Having been to Tuscany though, I can say this movie actually meant something to me, and hell, it's a bit entertaining, and surprisingly not boring. Again though, this film really didn't stand out for me.
familiar s

Cliched, but thankfully not too boring. It's been said that the movie is hardly similar to the memoir on which it's based, and that the memoir in itself (which includes recipes for most of the part) is quite boring (why am I not surprised?). Nevertheless, it was a NYT BS for… More
Cliched, but thankfully not too boring. It's been said that the movie is hardly similar to the memoir on which it's based, and that the memoir in itself (which includes recipes for most of the part) is quite boring (why am I not surprised?). Nevertheless, it was a NYT BS for more than 2 years!!! When I finished watching the movie, I was quite disappointed. But when I realized that it's based on such a boring (surely, some people will have a contradictory opinion) memoir, I felt somewhat relieved. Although (or should is be "Since") the movie had *several* cliches thrown in, and a love story added to heighten the dramatic effect, it still failed to rise above the average fare. Can't recommend.
♥Robyn

A nice Chick Flick ! Based on the book by Frances Mayes, "Under The Tuscan Sun" is a refreshing romantic comedy,a must see in my opinion. yes like many others,im sure,I kept waiting for the happily ever after with the man of her dreams,well didnt exactly get that but it does… More
A nice Chick Flick ! Based on the book by Frances Mayes, "Under The Tuscan Sun" is a refreshing romantic comedy,a must see in my opinion. yes like many others,im sure,I kept waiting for the happily ever after with the man of her dreams,well didnt exactly get that but it does have a pretty happy ending...... I enjoyed it.
Alice S

Optimistic but not blindly so. It takes small steps and much heartbreak to get where you want and need to be.
Rachel F

Omg, I love this movie. There are some parts that are really upsetting, but for the most part its all good and the ending is happy.
danny d

i know, i shouldnt say it, i kinda dug this flick
Jason S

Kind of boring and I thought the trailer was better than the actual movie.
Leigh R

So wonderful.
Beth M

This is one of my all time favourite films. It was fun, flirty, sexy and a great little romance about how to get over divorce and do something wonderful instead of moping around feeling miserable. Diane Lane was fantastic in this I was dissapointed that she didn't end up with who… More
This is one of my all time favourite films. It was fun, flirty, sexy and a great little romance about how to get over divorce and do something wonderful instead of moping around feeling miserable. Diane Lane was fantastic in this I was dissapointed that she didn't end up with who I wanted her too. However, the whole thing wasn't all that predictable and Sandra Oh was also brilliant in this, including many of the other actors. I could watch this over and over again and not get bored. Such a great film to watch and I'd reccomend it. It's made me want to read the book now.
Joseph E

It isn't as bad as other Romances, but it is definately good at being a melo-dramatic disaster in waiting.
Andrew F

It is a suprisingly good movie. I can't believe TWO people from Grey's Anatomy are in this. How weird! Diane Lane is a great actress in this movie. The ending is really great.
Juli R

A far-fetched escapist chick flick. The movie is better than the book.
Donna D

One of my favorite movies of all time. My "pick me up" movie that is endearing movie that's a total chick flick. Most guys won't like it, since it's a chick flick, but it's very enjoyable. :)
Daisy M

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/hs3ss6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Under the Tuscan Sun was a story about a divorced American writer… More
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/hs3ss6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Under the Tuscan Sun was a story about a divorced American writer played by Diane Lane, who flew to Italy where she wanted to put back her life together in the countryside of Tuscany.Diane Lane delivered a fine performance in this drama with humor and romance. This is more a chick flick movie, and I have not much to say about this, simple it was enjoyable to watch.
Marcus W

Women complain about the term chick-flick...and then someone makes a film like this which can be summed up in no other terms.
Kevin M

Diane Lane's stereotypical roles don't feed my excitement. Looking forward to neglecting the next one.
*Kimberly *

Charming and empowering. Diane Lane is a natural ~ I liked it :)
Ina S

Pretty standard chick flick that distinguishes itself by Diane Lane's irresistible charm, quirky humour of the script and the beautiful landscape of northern Italy.