A charming romantic comedy elevated by Tuscany's breathtaking scenery and strong supporting performances
You, Me & Tuscany blends romance, comedy, and the beauty of the Italian countryside into a lighthearted story that is as much a love letter to Tuscany as it is a romantic comedy.
Almost as long as there have been movies, there have been movies about romance. Love is a central theme in films regardless of whether or not they are romantic comedies, action/adventure, or serious drama. However, romcoms have a genre all their own in movies, and some of the greatest "teams" have brought many a heart's desire to the big screen. From When Harry Met Sally to Never Been Kissed to the more recent Anyone But You, the romantic comedy always seems to endure. This year, Universal Pictures took a stab at it when they released You, Me & Tuscany in theaters, and now they are offering to purchase it for home release.
Anna Montgomery (Halle Bailey; The Little Mermaid) was an aspiring chef, but when her mom got sick, she left culinary school and never went back. Working in NY as a professional house sitter, she meets Matteo Costa (Lorenzo de Moor; Another Simple Favor), a real estate mogul from Tuscany. When she finally gets up the nerve to travel to Italy (a trip she originally was supposed to take with her mom), she "borrows" Matteo's villa but gets caught by his family, who think she is his fiancée. Complicating matters is Matteo's adopted brother, Michael (Regé-Jean Page; Bridgerton), whom Anna has begun to have feelings for. Will she admit her lie to win Michael's heart or leave Tuscany, never to see Matteo or Michael ever again?
Director Kat Coiro (Marry Me) is no stranger to romcoms, though she may not have ever had the opportunity to film in such a gorgeous location before, and she takes full advantage of it. She gives the audience wide, establishing shots of the vineyard and the rolling countryside while still offering scenic views of buildings and squares in and around the famous Italian region. Her command of the script and characters is serviceable, but she shines when showing off the culinary delights created for the movie.
The cast is hit or miss, beginning with Bailey. While she has a beautiful singing voice, as evidenced by her role as Ariel in the live-action The Little Mermaid, she is not a particularly good actress (which I also felt in The Little Mermaid). Page, however, is very strong (and easy on the eyes), which helps to make up for Bailey's shortcomings. Rounding out the trio, de Moor is also good and brings the character of Matteo to life. Veteran actresses Isabella Ferrari (Un Giorno Perfetto) and Stefania Casini (Suspiria) are decent, but Lallo Circosta (Tutto Molto Bello) steals every scene he is in.
The Blu-ray is presented in 1080p resolution with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, which captures the beauty of Tuscany very well. The hills and vineyards are lush with a multitude of green hues, and the bright Tuscan sun illuminates the flowers that are bursting with colors all around.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 is very good, but doesn't have all that much to work with. The dialogue is sharp and crisp, and the score is layered throughout, almost as an afterthought. The combo pack comes only with the Blu-ray Disc, digital download, and a handful of extras, which include Feature Commentary with Director Kat Coiro and Producer Will Packer, You & Me, Racing Through Tuscany, La Famiglia, Taste of Italy, and Going Green in Italy.
You, Me & Tuscany is not a great film, heck, it isn't even a very good film, but for those who love a romcom, it is serviceable. Bailey and her wardrobe are the weak links, while Page and de Moor, along with the comedy of Circosta, make the movie salvageable. If anything, this film is more of a love letter to Italy and the wine region in the title.
Grade: C-
