This month’s Smart Bitches Matinee selection comes from a suggestion by RedHeadedGirl, who loves this movie. LOVES it. (Direct quote: “I love it so much.”)
She says it has, for our viewing pleasure:
- Scenery porn
- Food porn
- Recovery for terrible breakup porn
- Home reno porn
Here’s the summary, if you missed this one:
When Frances Mayes (Diane Lane) learns her husband is cheating on her from a writer to whom she gave a bad review, her life is turned upside down. In an attempt to bring her out of a deep depression, her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh), encourages Frances to take a tour of Italy. During the trip, the new divorcée impulsively decides to purchase a rural Tuscan villa and struggles to start her life anew amid colorful local characters, including the handsome Marcello (Raoul Bova).
RedHeadedGirl thinks this is Diane Lane’s best role, and many of the reviews mention Sandra Oh’s performance is terrific.
So, yeah, I’m in! Who’s with me?
Under the Tuscan Sun is available for around $3-4 to rent and $10-18 to buy digitally on iTunes, Google:Play, and Amazon, and the DVD can be found at your local library, or cheaply online in new and used condition from Amazon or Alibris.
Join us Sunday, September 25, for our discussion of Under the Tuscan Sun!
This made me think of “The Mouse-Proof Kitchen” by Saira Shah… but with fewer disasters?
This will be easy as I have an oft viewed DVD of it. It’s a feeling blah day comfort view. The book it’s based on has everything except the divorce/bad relationship stuff and pregnant friend. Funny story: I found it on the HPB clearance shelf. Took it with me to read on a flight. When I opened it, the original purchase receipt was still in the book (not the most interesting thing I’ve found in a HPB book). It had been purchased at an airport bookstore. So, it became my travel read and when I finished it two trips later, I left it at the airport for some other traveler.
I saw this at a discount theater when it came out and I have fond memories of it. I’m so glad to have a reminder to revisit it!
SANDRA OH!!!!!!
Also Polish poet/construction workers!!!! How did they not make the trailer? They’re the best part! No one becomes your friend in another country faster than other foreigners who are equally bemused by what the heck is going on on a daily basis.
Two Anglo movies about Italy in a row! Was that intentional? Not that they aren’t fun and affectionate, but if the next viewing is also to look at Italian scenery, could we try for an actual Italian movie? Italians should get to tell their own story as well as being part of the backdrop, no?
Is it supposed to be based upon the book of the same name? Because I read the book first and then was appalled by the film. But if it is not based on the book, I might re-visit it.
And the incomparable Lindsay Duncan!
@Gloriamarie, it is based on the book, but very loosely. Much better if you pretend it’s a different story entirely.
@Anne, thank you. Very very very very very loosely. Now that detail is cleared up, maybe I’ll enjoy it. That woman in the fountain was amazing.
I think it’s much better than the book, which is a collection of magazine and newspaper articles she wrote about her adventures with the house rather than a coherent story.
I loved the book. Loved. I was actually kind of appalled the first time I watched the movie, even tho I’d been warned in advance. But Anne is correct–you need to pretend they’re two unrelated stories. On that footing, with no preconceptions, the movie works beautifully.
@Kilian, you forgot the recipes!!
I loved the book and it is non-fiction, a memoir, The movie is fiction.
@Susan, I am going to find the film and think if as pure fiction.
Yesss, loved this movie — it almost flared back up my slumbering international travel bug all on it’s own.
Loved the book. Pretended the movie just had the same title, and then I found it pleasing.
I saw this in the theatre with my BFF. I remember loving the scenery, but was meh on the film otherwise.