I try not to gush about actors too much. After all, what self-respecting critic wants to be mistaken for a fanboy? Not me, I can assure you. Except when it comes to Diane Lane. In Lane’s case (and Cate Blanchett’s and one or two others), I’m quite willing to take the risk. Refer to me as a fanboy? I can live with that.
Lane earns my enthusiasm time and again by delivering incredibly well-rounded and emotionally true performances, even when she’s dealing with mediocre material (such as with Unfaithful). And in the case of Under the Tuscan Sun, that’s definitely not the case, as this is a well-written and mostly well-directed grown-ups movie about getting on with life and finding new riches after tough times.
This should be required viewing for everyone who’s gone through a break-up and found themselves wondering whether everything will ever be okay again. Working from Frances Mayes’ autobiographical book, screenwriter/ director Audrey Wells has fashioned a story about a fresh start for a woman who has been burned by life. The movie is much different from the book, as the real Mayes wrote about buying a Tuscan villa with her husband and bringing it back to its full glory, while the movie concerns a woman who has just experienced a painful divorce who buys the villa on her own. It’s a major departure, and it’s one that works.
Filled with realistic and sometimes quite witty dialogue, Under the Tuscan Sun takes its time in leading Frances to happiness. Like in real life, there are plenty of down times, false starts and missteps along the way, and they are conveyed here in charming fashion. Wells makes use of a likeable and quirky batch of locals, adding life and colour to the story as Frances makes a spontaneous decision to buy a villa and stay in Tuscany while on vacation shortly after her divorce. The contractors who work on the rundown place, the neighbours and the other locals come across as absolutely authentic, and their shenanigans help keep the story moving while Frances is down, these characters also propelling Frances through her toughest times. And when love does appear for our heroine, it’s definitely no sure thing.
Lane has no difficulty carrying the film, and her character is definitely the focus of the movie – she’s onscreen for the vast majority of its running time. Whether she is playing the shattered Frances, the hanging-on Frances, or the grabbing the world by the ear and dragging it along with her Frances, Lane is right there for every scene. We feel her pain and her joy; there’s not a single moment when she doesn’t seem to be this damaged-but-far-too-resilient-to-fail woman. The supporting cast is also delightful. Sandra Oh brings additional authenticity to the role of Frances’ friend Patti, Raoul Bova (as Frances’ love interest) and Vincent Riotta (as her real estate agent and close friend) are equally strong, and Lindsay Duncan is delightful as the wacky Katherine, who inspires Frances to take chances.
Under the Tuscan Sun is a romance for people who are willing to wait for things to brew, and watch the scenery along the way. Good movies – at least those aimed at adult audiences – often are governed by the same natural law that Katherine speaks of when she tells the story of a girl desperately searching for ladybugs who only finds them when she finally relaxes, takes a nap and awakes covered by the beautiful little insects. Good things often happen when filmmakers don’t seem to be trying too hard.
